Representative James Clyburn (D-SC) criticized CNN for failing to fact-check former President Donald Trump's numerous lies during the first 2024 presidential debate.
Representative James Clyburn (D-SC), a close ally of President Joe Biden, has strongly criticized CNN for failing to fact-check former President Donald Trump's numerous lies during the first 2024 presidential debate.
In an interview with CNN's Dana Bash, Clyburn condemned the debate structure for allowing Trump to make unchallenged false statements.
Clyburn Slams CNN for Lack of Fact-Checking in Biden-Trump Debate
"I don't like the debate where nobody will do any fact-checking," Clyburn stated. "You just say what you want to say. You know it's a lie. The guy told 30-some odd lies! And nobody checked him on it! And said that was up to Joe Biden to do it. I'm not too sure."
Clyburn argued that the moderator's role should include holding candidates accountable for their statements.
Clyburn Slams CNN for Lack of Fact-Checking in Biden-Trump Debate
"If I ask you a question, and you lie to me with the answer, I ought to follow up, and give you what the facts are. and see what your reaction to that would be," he said. "So that, to me, was not the way to plan the debate."
Bash defended CNN's decision not to fact-check Trump's lies, arguing that it was a mutually agreed-upon format.
Clyburn Slams CNN for Lack of Fact-Checking in Biden-Trump Debate
"Well, it was a debate agreed to by President Biden, first who proposed this debate," Bash said.
Clyburn responded by acknowledging Biden's poor performance but attributed it to preparation overload.
Clyburn Slams CNN for Lack of Fact-Checking in Biden-Trump Debate
"Yes, it was a bad performance," Clyburn said. "I've been around these things. I've been a part of debate preparation before, and I know when I see what I call preparation overload. And that's exactly what was going on. The other night, I saw Joe Biden grabbing for words and phrases and even numbers that he was loaded up with."
Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro also criticized CNN for failing to confront Trump's falsehoods.
"Frankly, I think CNN could have done a better job in calling [Trump's] lies out," Shapiro said.
Despite the criticism, Bash maintained that "they didn't ask us to do that" and that callers were free to fact-check the candidates themselves.
However, Clyburn argued that the moderator has a responsibility to ensure factual accuracy.
"Whoever did that, agreed to that, really should think about what they're doing," he said.
Clyburn's criticism reflects a growing concern among Democrats that CNN is failing to effectively challenge Trump's false narratives.
