Potential Conflict of Interest in ABC News’ Hosting of First Presidential Debate: One America News Network Raises Concerns
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
10:29 AM – Tuesday, August 13, 2024
The first debate between 2024 presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump appears to have a conflict of interest within the hosting network, ABC News.
Advertisement
Dana Walden, the co-chair of Disney, which is the parent company of ABC News, is a long-term donor to Democrat candidate Kamala Harris, dating back to financially supporting Harris when she first ran for district attorney in San Francisco, California.
Harris has also previously admitted that her and Walden are “extraordinary friends.” In 2023, Walden reportedly donated $20,000 to Joe Biden and the Democrat party.
On the other hand, GOP candidate Donald Trump does not have a good relationship with the network, as he is currently in a legal battle with ABC due to defamation. George Stephanopoulos, an ABC News host, political commentator, and former Democrat advisor, publicly said on his program that Trump was liable for rape in relation to writer E. Jean Carroll. However, that particular jury had actually found Trump “not guilty” of rape.
“ABC News has built its longstanding reputation on journalistic integrity,” said the network in a statement. “All editorial decisions are in the hands of ABC News management and the seasoned journalists and producers of ABC, who hold themselves to the highest journalistic standards.”
Disney also claimed that Walden does not make editorial decisions, although she is the highest ranking TV executive within the company.
As Walden oversees ABC, a number of local news stations, Disney’s streaming services, and more, ABC News typically has its own president, even though the position is currently vacant after the previous president Kim Godwin resigned after being pressured to step down.
The presidential debate is scheduled to take place September 10th on the network. It is still unclear if Harris will agree to take part in the other two debates.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Advertisements below
