Republicans Rally Against ‘Unfair’ Fact-Checking in Presidential Debate Showdown

Former President Donald Trump and other Republican figures expressed dissatisfaction Wednesday regarding the ABC News presidential debate held the previous night, calling it biased against the GOP nominee.

Both Trump’s campaign and Vice President Kamala Harris’s camp are now considering the potential for a second debate ahead of the November 5 election, with discussions intensifying in the media.

Trump and his supporters accused the debate moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, of favoring Harris by challenging Trump’s more dubious assertions. “It was three to one,” Trump stated during a call to Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” suggesting an unbalanced dynamic that he anticipated from the outset.

Davis contested Trump’s assertion regarding a Democratic governor’s alleged comments about post-birth abortion, firmly stating, “There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it’s born.” Muir also questioned Trump over unfounded claims about Haitian migrants involving pet thefts in Springfield, Ohio, referencing a city manager’s rebuttal to those allegations.

In a post-debate interview, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham echoed Trump’s sentiments, remarking to Sean Hannity that the moderation felt lopsided, saying, “It was three against one.”

ABC News has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the criticisms leveled against their moderators.

Public perception of the debate’s fairness appears to vary significantly. A recent YouGov survey of over 3,000 adults revealed that 40% deemed the moderators fair, while 27% believed they favored Harris. Among Democrats, 69% viewed the moderators’ performance positively. In contrast, a little over half of Republican respondents felt the moderators treated Trump unfairly.

On social media platform Truth Social, Trump promoted his debate performance, sharing evidence from right-leaning outlets that declared him the winner. He mocked Harris’s suggestion for another debate, emphasizing in a post that “Comrade Kamala Harris is going around wanting another Debate because she lost so badly.”

Trump defended his controversial comments about Haitian migrants, which have circulated within right-wing circles. These claims were highlighted by Trump’s running mate, U.S. Senator J.D. Vance, who shared audio claiming migrants had been seen carrying geese. Trump also circulated a video, previously discredited by local media, depicting a woman unrelated to the incident in question.

Ahead of the debate, Trump shared an AI-generated image featuring him with cats and birds aboard his private jet, an unusual move aimed at countering negative narratives.

As for future debates, Trump expressed openness to additional discussions during a September 11 memorial event, indicating a willingness to participate in forums organized by NBC News and Fox News. The NBC event is scheduled for September 25, though Harris has not committed, instead suggesting an October date.

Fox executives have reiterated their offer to host another debate in a battleground state in October. Trump’s spokesperson clarified that his previous mention of Fox referred to a town hall that occurred after Harris did not attend a planned discussion on September 4.

The Harris campaign has confirmed the Vice President’s interest in a second debate, emphasizing the contrasting visions for America’s future. Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon remarked, “Under the bright lights, the American people got to see the choice they will face this fall,” urging for a more extensive dialogue between the candidates.