ABC Faces Backlash as Debate Moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis Criticized for Bias, Ratings Plummet

In what has become a major controversy for the network, ABC’s ratings have hit an all-time low following the backlash from its recent presidential debate coverage. Moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis were criticized by viewers for showing bias during the debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, leading to a wave of social media outrage and a significant decline in viewership.

The debate, which was expected to be one of the most important political events of the year, was overshadowed by the moderators’ performance. Throughout the debate, Muir and Davis frequently interrupted Trump to fact-check his statements, while Harris was given more room to speak without challenge. Viewers quickly took to social media, with hashtags like #RiggedDebate and #FireTheModerators trending for hours after the event.

Many fans of the network expressed their frustration, accusing ABC of turning what should have been a neutral platform into a partisan event. “Are Muir and Davis running for office too?” tweeted one viewer, reflecting the widespread sentiment that the moderators were too involved in the debate.

The immediate fallout was felt in ABC’s ratings, which saw a sharp decline following the debate. Industry insiders have described it as the “worst performance” in recent network history. “For a network like ABC, which prides itself on trust and integrity, this is a disaster,” said one media analyst. The drop in viewership affected not only the debate itself but also ABC’s post-debate analysis programs and flagship news show, World News Tonight.

In response to the backlash, ABC issued a statement acknowledging the criticism, though it stopped short of a full apology: “We strive for fairness and integrity in all our programming. However, we understand that many viewers felt the debate was not moderated in a way that met their expectations. We take this feedback seriously and will work to improve future events.”

The network’s statement did little to quell the anger, with critics labeling it as insufficient. “ABC turned the debate into a Kamala Harris fan club meeting, and all they can say is ‘oops’?” one Twitter user fumed.

Behind the scenes, tensions are reportedly high at ABC, with both Muir and Davis facing scrutiny from within the network. Sources suggest that ABC is considering a shakeup ahead of the next major political event to avoid further ratings disasters.

Conservative circles have been particularly vocal in calling for Muir’s resignation, while some within the network are advocating for changes to the moderator lineup. “The network can’t afford another fiasco like this,” said an insider. “If that means replacing moderators, it might be necessary.”

The bigger question for ABC is whether it can regain the trust of its viewers. The backlash from the debate has cast doubt on the network’s credibility as an impartial source of news. “The trust factor is gone,” said one former viewer. “If I can’t trust them to moderate a debate fairly, why should I trust their news coverage?”

As ABC works to repair its reputation, competitors like Fox and CNN are already positioning themselves to capitalize on the situation. Fox, in particular, has been vocal about presenting itself as the network for “unbiased” debate coverage in future elections.

ABC’s handling of the recent presidential debate has left a lasting impact on the network, with viewers questioning its commitment to fair and balanced journalism. As the network navigates the fallout from one of the most controversial debates in recent history, it remains to be seen whether ABC will make the necessary changes to win back its audience.

For now, all eyes are on the network as it tries to recover from this ratings disaster and regain the trust it once held.