ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos warns of the abnormality of the upcoming presidential election and the challenges it poses for the media and the nation as a whole.
ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos has raised concerns over the upcoming 2024 presidential election, calling it a "test" for democracy and the media.
In a stark opening to his Sunday program "This Week," Stephanopoulos emphasized the unprecedented legal troubles facing former President Donald Trump and the potential implications for the future of democracy in the United States.
"Until now, no American president had ever faced a criminal trial or indictment for retaining and concealing classified documents," Stephanopoulos said. "No American president had ever faced a federal or state indictment for trying to overturn an election, or been named an unindicted co-conspirator in two other states for the same crime."
Stephanopoulos argued that the election could not be treated as a normal political race, given the "staggering" scale of Trump's legal issues.
"It's all too easy to fall into reflexive habits, to treat this as a normal campaign," he said. "But that is not what's happening this election year. Those bedrock tenets of democracy are being tested in a way we haven't seen since the Civil War. It's a test for the candidates, for those of us in the media, and for all of us as citizens."
Stephanopoulos' remarks echoed President Biden's message to the media at the White House correspondents' dinner on Saturday. Biden implored journalists to focus on the high stakes of the election and the need to protect democracy.
"The defeated former president has made no secret of his attack on our democracy," Biden said. "He has said he wants to be a 'dictator on day one,' and so much more. ... We have to take this seriously."
Biden also urged the media to move beyond sensationalism and focus on the substance of the race.
"Move past the horse race numbers and the 'gotcha' moments and the distractions and the sideshows," he said. "I think in your hearts, you know what's at stake."
Stephanopoulos emphasized the importance of the media's role in safeguarding democracy, especially in the face of unprecedented challenges.
"As citizens, we have a responsibility to protect our democracy," he said. "And as members of the media, we have a serious role to play in that process."
Stephanopoulos' remarks drew attention to the critical role the media will play in shaping the narrative and holding candidates accountable in the upcoming election. The stakes are high, as the nation grapples with threats to democracy and the erosion of trust in institutions. The media must rise to the occasion and ensure that the public remains informed and engaged, and that those seeking public office are held to the highest standards.
The 2024 election will test the limits of American democracy and the media's ability to navigate a complex and challenging political landscape. By highlighting the abnormality of this election and the threats it poses, Stephanopoulos has sounded an alarm that should resonate with all Americans concerned about the future of their country.
