Dana Bash reveals debate prep focus on Trump over Biden
- Dana Bash acknowledged that CNN's preparation focused more on Donald Trump's behavior than on Joe Biden's during the June debate.
- Biden's disappointing performance prompted significant pressure from Democrats for him to exit the 2024 presidential race.
- The debate raised concerns about the effectiveness of fact-checking, influencing how future debates were moderated.
In June 2023, CNN hosted a debate featuring former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Dana Bash, a CNN host, revealed that she and co-moderator Jake Tapper prepared extensively for Trump's potential behavior during the debate, while their preparation for Biden was comparatively minimal. This disparity in preparation was highlighted by Biden's underwhelming performance, which led to significant pressure from Democrats for him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. Following the debate, Biden's lack of engagement and response to Trump's statements raised concerns among party members about his viability as a candidate. The debate's aftermath saw media calls for Biden to step aside, indicating a shift in the political landscape. In contrast, a subsequent debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump, moderated by ABC News, faced criticism for not fact-checking Harris's claims, further emphasizing the challenges faced by candidates in maintaining credibility during debates.