Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has criticized CNN for not correcting former President Trump's false statements during his debate with President Biden, suggesting that the network could have done a better job in challenging Trump's claims.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has taken aim at CNN for its handling of the recent presidential debate between President Biden and former President Trump, specifically criticizing the network for not correcting false statements made by Trump.
In an interview with CNN on Friday, Shapiro expressed his dissatisfaction with the network's approach to fact-checking during the debate. "Frankly, I think CNN could have a done a better job in calling [Trump's] lies out," said Shapiro, who has been mentioned as a potential contender to replace Biden in the 2024 presidential election.
CNN Slammed for Ignoring Trump's 'Lies' During Biden Debate
Shapiro's criticism stems from his belief that CNN had a responsibility to correct Trump's false or misleading claims during the debate. In his view, the network's failure to do so allowed Trump to spread misinformation and untruths without challenge.
The governor acknowledged that Biden's performance in the debate was less than stellar, but he emphasized that Trump's own actions warrant scrutiny. "Joe Biden had a bad debate night, but Donald Trump was a bad president," Shapiro stated.
CNN Slammed for Ignoring Trump's 'Lies' During Biden Debate
CNN host John Berman pressed Shapiro on whether he believed Biden was capable of leading the Democratic Party to victory in the 2024 election. Shapiro responded affirmatively, but stressed the need for a more effective message delivery. "He is," Shapiro said. "Certainly, we need to be crisper in delivering that message and the president has a responsibility to do that along with the rest of us."
When asked whether he had received any feedback from the Biden campaign regarding the debate performance, Shapiro declined to comment, stating that the campaign should speak for itself.
CNN Slammed for Ignoring Trump's 'Lies' During Biden Debate
Despite Shapiro's criticism, CNN defended its handling of the debate. The network's chief political correspondent, Dana Bash, stated that CNN had a "responsibility to treat both candidates fairly" and that the network's fact-checkers were "working overtime" to address Trump's claims.
However, media critics have argued that CNN's efforts to maintain neutrality may have come at the expense of holding Trump accountable for his falsehoods. The network's perceived reluctance to challenge Trump's statements has drawn comparisons to the 2016 presidential debates, during which CNN was criticized for allowing Trump to make false claims without contradiction.
The CNN poll posted on air showed that 67% of debate watchers felt that Trump won the debate compared to 33% who believed Biden won. This poll result aligns with the broader narrative that Trump performed well in the debate, while Biden struggled to deliver a strong performance.
Shapiro's comments add to the ongoing debate about the role of media outlets in fact-checking political candidates. Some argue that media organizations have a duty to challenge false or misleading claims, while others maintain that the media should remain neutral and allow the candidates to present their own views to the public.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the issue of fact-checking and media responsibility is likely to remain a contentious topic.
