President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump debated on Thursday, and CNN has been criticized for its moderating strategy, especially for not providing real-time fact-checking during the event.
Trump asserted several points during the discussion on issues including the economy, veterans’ care, and his involvement in the January 6, 2021, events in the Capitol. Biden, meanwhile, found it difficult to refute these assertions.
Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah criticized the lack of immediate fact-checks, calling it “disturbing.” “This is how democracy and norms get eroded,” Attiah wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Fact-checking and preparedness are part of the safeguards to keep people in power accountable.”
David Chalian, CNN’s political director, defended the decision to minimize interruptions. “Obviously, if there is some egregious fact that needs to be checked or the record needs to be made clear, Jake and Dana can do that,” Chalian told The Associated Press. “But that’s not their role. They are not here to participate in this debate. They are here to facilitate a debate between Trump and Biden.”
Chalian also mentioned to The New York Times that a live debate “is not the ideal arena for live fact-checking.”
Instead, CNN provided fact-checking on its website and an on-air segment with Daniel Dale following the debate. However, many argue that CNN’s fact-checking cannot be trusted, as it is highly biased, raising concerns about the credibility and impartiality of the information provided. CNN reported that Trump made over 30 false statements during the debate, while Biden made “at least nine false or misleading claims.”
The debate also raised many questions about Biden’s age and fitness to serve, given his weak performance in countering Trump’s claims. This has led some Democrats to wonder privately and publicly whether Biden should consider stepping aside for a younger candidate.
Biden somehow remained optimistic afterward. “I think we did well,” he told reporters during a post-debate stop at a Waffle House in Atlanta.
The debate was also a crucial moment for CNN, which has been grappling with declining ratings even after the departure of former CEO Chris Licht. Licht’s tenure included controversial decisions, such as hosting a town hall with Trump.
Under the current CEO, Mark Thompson, CNN has continued to struggle. Despite high expectations for the debate to boost viewership, challenges persist. Many people have lost faith in CNN’s reporting. Puck’s Dylan Byers reported that Thompson is expected to announce layoffs next month, highlighting ongoing issues within the network.
