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

WASHINGTON — Following the ABC News presidential debate, former President Donald Trump and several Republicans voiced concerns about perceived bias against the GOP nominee. Trump criticized the debate moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, suggesting that the framing favored Vice President Kamala Harris by highlighting inaccuracies in Trump’s assertions.

In a call to “Fox & Friends,” Trump stated, “It was three to one,” emphasizing what he viewed as an unfair dynamic. He claimed that while the moderators challenged his statements, they did not confront Harris. During the debate, Davis contested Trump’s assertion regarding potential post-birth abortions, declaring, “There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it’s born.” Muir similarly refuted Trump’s unfounded accusations about Haitian migrants in Ohio.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham echoed Trump’s sentiments, labeling the debate as “terribly moderated” and asserting that the format was unbalanced. ABC News did not respond to requests for comments regarding the allegations made by Trump and his supporters.

Polling data revealed a more mixed perception of the moderators’ performance. A YouGov survey indicated that 40% of participants viewed Muir and Davis as fair, while only 27% felt they were biased towards Harris. Notably, a majority of independents and Democrats shared the sentiment of fairness towards the moderators.

On social media, Trump boasted about his debate performance and referenced polls from right-leaning outlets that claimed his victory. He dismissed the idea of a second debate suggested by Harris, implying that her push for another confrontation stemmed from her poor performance. His comments on ongoing falsehoods regarding Haitian migrants have sparked further controversy, with misinformation proliferating on social media platforms.

Trump preliminarily expressed interest in participating in more debates, suggesting potential events hosted by NBC News and Fox News. However, Harris’s campaign appears to prefer scheduling debates in October rather than the proposed September dates.

Harris’s campaign expressed eagerness for a second debate, emphasizing the choice voters face in the upcoming election. Campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon highlighted that the first debate had showcased the contrasting paths presented by the two candidates. “Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?” Dillon questioned, reinforcing the call for further dialogue before the election.