Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) has raised concerns about alleged bias during the recent debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

In a letter addressed to ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic and Harris' campaign manager, Julie Chávez Rodriguez, Marshall accused the network of favoring Harris. and he is demanding the release of communications between executives and the likely frustrated Democrat hopeful's camp, as Fox News reports.

Marshall claims that the moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis, unfairly fact-checked Trump multiple times, while Harris was not fact-checked at all.

He has since specifically demanded transparency from the network and requested that ABC News release any communications they may have had with the Harris campaign before the debate.

Allegations of Unequal Fact-Checking

Marshall’s letter, sent on Wednesday, focuses on what he describes as unequal treatment of the candidates. He claims that during the debate, Trump was fact-checked five times in real-time, while Harris escaped scrutiny despite making questionable statements. This perceived bias led Marshall to question whether the Harris campaign had influenced the proceedings.

Marshall is also seeking any evidence of coordination between ABC News and the Harris campaign, particularly regarding the debate’s questions and fact-checking. "The American people deserve transparency and accountability from the mainstream media," Marshall wrote in his letter, demanding an explanation of how the debate was conducted.

Concerns About Media Bias and Trust

In addition to his concerns about bias, Marshall highlighted broader public distrust in the mainstream media. Citing polling data that shows many Americans doubt the neutrality of news organizations, Marshall pointed to a potential conflict of interest. He referenced Disney executive Dana Walden, who has close personal ties to Harris and has reportedly made donations to the vice president’s campaign.

Marshall’s letter emphasized the need for ABC News to respond to these concerns by Sept. 27. The senator believes that any failure to disclose relevant communications would further erode public trust in the media.

Trump Raises Suspicion at Las Vegas Rally

Former President Trump has also voiced his frustrations with the debate process. Speaking at a rally in Las Vegas, Trump suggested that Harris may have had an unfair advantage during the event. He speculated that she might have received the debate questions in advance or used an earpiece to receive guidance during the debate. “I hear she got the questions, and I also heard she had something in the ear,” Trump said.

These claims have not been substantiated, but they add to the chorus of accusations from Republicans that the debate was tilted in Harris' favor.

Cotton Criticizes ABC’s Coverage

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) has joined Marshall in criticizing ABC News for its handling of the debate. Cotton took issue with Harris' comments on U.S. military personnel, specifically her false claim that no U.S. troops are currently in combat zones. He described ABC’s failure to correct Harris in real-time as “more than just bias” and accused the network of actively supporting Harris' campaign.

Cotton’s critique of the debate echoes Marshall’s broader concern that the moderators and network staff favored Harris over Trump, further undermining the credibility of the debate.

ABC Corrects Harris on U.S. Troop Numbers

While ABC did not fact-check Harris during the live debate, the network did address one of her incorrect statements well after the fact. Harris had claimed that no U.S. military personnel are serving in combat zones, a statement that drew immediate criticism.

Martha Raddatz, an ABC journalist, later corrected this claim, stating that there are currently 900 U.S. military personnel stationed in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq. According to Raddatz, these troops have been regularly threatened by drones and missiles over the past few months.

David Muir Defends Debate Moderation

Muir, one of the debate's moderators, responded to the controversy surrounding the event. He dismissed post-debate complaints as mere “noise,” emphasizing that the real focus should be on the voters. “The most important thing to remember is you all have the power,” Muir said, urging the public to make their own judgments about the debate’s outcome.

Muir’s comments indicate that ABC News is standing by its handling of the debate, despite the accusations from Marshall, Cotton, and Trump.

Marshall Demands Response from ABC News

Marshall’s letter calls for ABC News to respond to his concerns by Sept. 27, giving the network some time to address the allegations of bias and coordination. In his view, failure to do so will only deepen suspicions about the integrity of the debate.

The letter, while primarily focused on the role of ABC News, also calls attention to the broader issue of media accountability in the political arena. Marshall argues that transparency from the media is critical to maintaining public trust in democratic processes like presidential debates.

Marshall's letter concludes with a demand for accountability, urging ABC News to provide a “full accounting” of any interactions they had with the Harris campaign leading up to the debate. Whether ABC News will comply with this request remains to be seen, but the controversy surrounding the debate continues to grow as the Sept. 27 deadline approaches.