ABC News moderators have sparked significant discourse regarding perceived biases, particularly in the unequal handling of fact-checking between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Mail Online reported.

Linsey Davis and David Muir, who moderated the ABC News debate, intensely focused on Donald Trump's statements, frequently conducting live fact-checks that sharply contrasted with their treatment of Kamala Harris. This approach has drawn public and Republican criticism, with many accusing the moderators of partisan bias.

Linsey Davis, an experienced journalist and host on ABC News' streaming service, later acknowledged that their decision to intensively fact-check Trump was influenced by his previous debate performances.

She specifically referred to a prior debate with Joe Biden, moderated by CNN, where insufficient fact-checking had raised concerns.

Davis Addresses Preparation and Bias Concerns

Davis expressed her readiness to address topics such as abortion and in vitro fertilization (IVF), which she anticipated would be controversial.

She highlighted the difficulty of maintaining neutrality, especially given her identity as a Black woman covering Kamala Harris, the first Black woman major presidential candidate. "There is a stereotype that I am acutely aware of that I can't be unbiased covering this moment," Davis explained.

Social media users frequently pointed to the challenges Davis faced in staying impartial during the debate. These interactions underscored the complexities of her role in a politically charged environment.

The moderators confronted Trump with several fact-checks during the debate. Notably, they challenged his comments on the Capitol riot and allegations of migrant crimes, including a spurious claim about immigrants engaging in animal cruelty in Springfield, Ohio, which David Muir categorized as false.

Fact-Checking Discrepancies Become Focal Point

Kamala Harris made erroneous statements regarding Trump's stance on IVF, asserting that he opposed the procedure. This contradicted Trump's public support for IVF, particularly in states facing legal restrictions.

A Trump campaign account clarified, "Kamala is LYING again. President Trump has said he wants to make it easier for mothers and fathers to have babies, including supporting IVF in every state."

Linsey Davis pointed out a false claim by Trump regarding post-birth executions, a statement he made during the debate, which she promptly corrected.

However, the event did not subject Harris's inaccuracies to the same level of scrutiny, leading to further accusations of bias.

After the debate, former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer criticized ABC for its approach. "ABC is making a huge mistake trying to fact-check this live. They’re only proving how biased they are," Fleischer commented.

Harris and Trump Post-Debate Reflections

Harris appeared satisfied with her performance following the debate and focused on topics like the economy and gun ownership in subsequent interviews.

Trump articulated a more progressive stance on IVF, advocating for free access to the procedure, which marked a notable pivot from his previously stringent anti-abortion views.

Trump also expressed willingness to oppose Florida's strict 6-week abortion ban in an upcoming referendum, despite his historical pro-life stance. T

his shift attempts to appeal to a broader spectrum of voters, balancing conservative principles with more centrist views on reproductive rights.

The debate and its fallout sparked a broader discussion about the role of moderators in ensuring an equitable platform for political discourse, especially in the high-stakes atmosphere of a presidential election.