ABC News anchor Linsey Davis recently disclosed that the previous CNN debate between Trump and President Biden influenced her fact-checking of former President Donald Trump during a debate.

According to the New York Post, Davis made this admission in a post-debate interview with the Los Angeles Times.

Davis explained that her decision to correct candidates' statements was a response to concerns raised after the June 27 CNN debate. In that earlier debate, Trump's statements were allowed to go unchallenged by both Biden and the moderators, leading to criticism from viewers and media analysts.

ABC Moderators' Approach To Fact-Checking

During the ABC News debate, Davis and her co-moderator David Muir took a more proactive approach to fact-checking. They had prepared extensively, studying hours of campaign rallies and interviews to be ready to counter any potentially inaccurate statements made by the candidates.

Davis told the Los Angeles Times:

People were concerned that statements were allowed to just hang and not [be] disputed by the candidate Biden, at the time, or the moderators.

Controversy Surrounding Debate Moderation

The ABC News debate has sparked controversy, with critics accusing the moderators of showing bias towards Vice President Kamala Harris. Some observers noted that while Trump was fact-checked five times during the debate, Harris did not receive any corrections from the moderators.

Trump himself alleged bias in the moderation, stating in a "Fox & Friends" interview: "It was three to one. It was a rigged deal, as I assumed it would be."

Moderators' Response To Criticism

Despite the criticism, Davis maintained that she and Muir intended to fact-check both candidates throughout the debate. She acknowledged that they could not catch every misstatement but emphasized their preparation and readiness to address inaccuracies.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Davis chose to ignore much of the criticism directed at her, even going so far as to shut off her social media accounts. Davis expressed awareness of the stereotypes and biases that some viewers might project onto her as a moderator.

She stated:

There is a stereotype that I am acutely aware of that I can't be unbiased covering this moment. And the anonymous Instagram people serve as reminders every day.

Controversial Fact-Checking Moment

One particularly notable moment during the debate occurred when Davis fact-checked Trump on the topic of abortion. Trump had referenced former Virginia Governor Ralph Northam's 2019 comments about late-term abortions, which had been controversial at the time.

In response, Davis firmly stated, "There is no state in this country where it is legal to kill a baby after it's born."

This exchange went viral, with liberals praising Davis for her assertiveness. However, some pro-life groups contested the accuracy of Davis's statement and demanded a correction from ABC News.

Debate Preparation And Moderation Strategy

The Los Angeles Times profile of Davis highlighted the extensive preparation undertaken by the ABC News team for the debate. Davis and Muir had spent considerable time studying the candidates' past statements and campaign rhetoric to prepare for potential factual disputes during the event.

Their goal was to be ready to address any egregious statements made by either candidate. However, the execution of this strategy has led to accusations of uneven treatment, with critics pointing out the disparity in fact-checking between Trump and Harris.

Implications For Future Debates

The controversy surrounding the ABC News debate and Davis's admission about the influence of the previous CNN debate raises questions about the role of moderators in political debates. It highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing fair moderation with the need to ensure accuracy in candidates' statements.

As the 2024 election cycle continues, this debate is likely to inform discussions about debate formats, moderator responsibilities, and the expectations placed on both candidates and journalists during these high-stakes political events.

In summary, ABC News anchor Linsey Davis admitted that her fact-checking of Trump during the debate was influenced by the previous CNN debate, where Trump's statements went unchallenged. The ABC debate featured more aggressive fact-checking, leading to accusations of bias towards Vice President Harris.

Davis defended the moderators' approach, citing extensive preparation and the intention to fact-check both candidates. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about the role of moderators in political debates and the challenge of ensuring fairness and accuracy.