It’s no secret that many media outlets lean in one political direction or the other, and ABC News has recently made it clear where they stand. With the upcoming debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on September 10, 2024, the network’s bias is bound to show. ABC has never been shy about its dislike for Trump, and they likely won’t hold back when it comes to slanting the questions in Harris’ favor.
The most glaring issue here is the debate preparation. While the Harris camp has been preparing for days, it’s hard not to wonder if ABC has been a little too “helpful” behind the scenes. Rumors are swirling that Kamala has already received the debate questions ahead of time, meaning all she needs to do is memorize her answers and hope for the best. It’s not exactly a fair fight when one side has the playbook ahead of the game, is it?
Kamala’s Debate Prep: Memorize and Repeat?
Kamala Harris has been deep in debate preparation for a full five days before the big showdown. Now, one might think that’s a standard amount of time to prep, but when you add in the whispers about pre-delivered questions, things get a little fishy. If the rumors hold any weight, it means that Kamala’s intense study sessions might just be about perfecting rehearsed answers rather than facing spontaneous, on-the-spot questions.
If Kamala sticks to her prepped script, she might just make it through without too much trouble. But let’s be honest—what happens if she veers off the script? Historically, Harris hasn’t always been the strongest when speaking off the cuff. Should she try to improvise during this debate, we might see her falter, which could drop her even lower in the polls. And with her poll numbers already sinking, that’s not a great place to be.
Media Bias: Will It Impact the Debate?
One of the bigger elephants in the room is ABC’s longstanding bias against Trump. This bias is hardly hidden and is likely to seep into the tone and nature of the questions asked. Will Harris be grilled with tough policy questions? Will Trump be met with leading or hostile questions designed to trip him up? It wouldn’t be the first time.
The mainstream media, including ABC, has never been afraid to show where they stand on political matters, and Trump has been their favorite punching bag for years. It’s almost expected at this point that the debate moderators will go easier on Harris, maybe even toss her a few softball questions to boost her performance. On the other hand, Trump will probably face loaded questions aimed at making him look unfit for office.
The Polling Disaster
Kamala Harris isn’t exactly riding a wave of popularity. Her approval numbers have been less than stellar, and the debate is a crucial moment for her to either regain ground or sink further. If the debate goes poorly for her—and especially if she veers off-script—it’s hard to imagine how she’ll recover.
If she drops in the polls following the debate, there are only a couple of ways for her to stay afloat. Enter ballot harvesting and other questionable tactics. It’s no secret that concerns about election integrity have been a big topic, and should Harris continue to slide, desperate measures to secure votes might be the only thing left to keep her in the race.
A Scripted Victory?
If Kamala Harris wins this debate, it might just be because she stuck to the carefully crafted responses that her team has spent days preparing. It’s almost like watching a play—if the actors remember their lines, the performance is smooth. But the real question is: are the American people buying it?
Debates are supposed to be about real-time exchanges, showing how candidates think on their feet, handle pressure, and articulate their policies. If Harris simply parrots back pre-prepared lines, is that really an indicator of leadership? Or is it just an elaborate performance?
What to Watch For
For those tuning in to watch this debate, here are a few things to look out for:
- The Questions: Are they equally tough on both candidates, or does one side get a softer approach?
- Kamala’s Responses: Are her answers well-rehearsed and too perfect, or does she stumble when asked follow-up questions?
- Trump’s Handling: How does Trump deal with what are likely to be more aggressive questions? Will his experience with biased media serve him well?
- The Moderators: Watch for subtle bias in how the moderators frame questions and follow-ups. Are they pushing Harris to be specific, or letting her off the hook with vague answers?
The Bottom Line
ABC News likely won’t hide its bias during the Kamala Harris/Donald Trump debate. Harris has most probably been prepped with the debate questions, allowing her to spend her days memorizing answers rather than engaging in real, unscripted thought. If she sticks to the script, she might just get by. But if she goes off-script? That’s when things could get interesting. And if the polls don’t go her way, it’s not a stretch to think that alternative methods—like ballot harvesting—might be her fallback plan.
This debate is less about what’s being said on stage and more about what’s happening behind the scenes. As always, the media plays a powerful role in shaping public perception, and ABC News’ influence is undeniable. Will you watch the debate unfold with an open mind, or will you see the bias for what it is?
