ABC host David Muir and Donald Trump have a long history with one another, from ratings wars to calling the moderator “handsome.”
The two are gearing up to reunite once more during tonight’s first presidential debate.
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Muir and Trump’s history dates back to 2016 when the former president was merely a candidate going head-to-head with Hillary Clinton.
Trump has been public about his feelings toward ABC, however, he has shown favor toward Muir.
During Labor Day in 2016, Trump rejected the notion of an interview with ABC, but when Clinton and her running mate Tim Kaine agreed to speak with Muir, the former president changed his mind.
“If it’s David Muir, I wanna do it,” Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway recalled the 78-year-old saying to The Daily Beast.
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Ultimately, Muir interviewed Trump and Mike Pence on a private plane at the Canfield County Fairgrounds.
“David Muir seems like central casting to Donald Trump,” Conway said.
She also mentioned hearing Trump making a remark about Muir, calling him “handsome.”
Additionally, multiple ABC News staffers have told the outlet that Trump likes Muir due to his dominance in ratings.
“Trump likes people who are number one in the ratings, and Davidâs number one,” said an ABC News reporter.
Muir also was able to land the first televised interview with the former president after he won the election.
Kamala Harris needs quick one-liners to fight shock-jock Trump in debate where she’ll show her fierceness, insider says
In 2020, the 50-year-old moderator secured the first TV interview with Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement on the anchor, an ABC News spokesperson called him “prolific.”
“David Muir is one of the most prolific, trusted and highly respected journalists in Americaâhe is tough, but fair which is why ABC World News Tonight has been the most watched newscast for nearly a decade,” they said.
Today’s debate comes as:
- New York Times/Siena poll puts Trump one point ahead of Harris
- But battleground polling suggests Harris has a slender advantage
- Trump’s team says the former president will “be himself” during the debate, but reveals there will be “some surprises”
- A campaign spokesperson said Trump will bash Harris over issues such as the US-Mexico border, illegal immigration, and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan – all policies taken by President Biden which Trump believe Harris “owns”
- Harris prepares for showdown by debating Trump impersonator
- Former Biden adviser warns Harris needs “quick one-liners” in debate
- Democratic senators reportedly admit the party is anxious ahead of the showdown
- “Polling Nostradamus” Allan Lichtman predicts Harris will defeat Trump in November
“His work speaks for itself.”
Now, Muir is gearing up with Linsey Davis as they prepare to host tonight’s debate.
‘NASTIEST NETWORK’
Despite, Trump’s keen relationship with Muir, the former president called ABC the “nastiest” network during a press conference on Friday.
“I’m going into very hostile territory shortly on a debate with ABC, George Slopodopoulos [sic] and that group,” Trump told Fox News.
“And ABC, I think, is the worst of everybody. I think they’re the worst, they’re the nastiest. They’re as bad as you can be.
“They’re worse than NBC, which is saying a lot.”
Trump went on to slam Kamala Harris, saying she is only working with ABC because of her longtime friendship with senior Disney executive Dana Walden.
How to watch the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump?
KAMALA Harris and Donald Trump will have their first presidential debate on September 10. The U.S. Sun has everything you need to know:
The debate, which will last for 90 minutes, kicks off at 9pm ET and will air on ABC.
It will also be shown on ABC News’ 24/7 streaming network, Hulu and Disney+.
The debate will be moderated by ABC stars Linsey Davis and David Muir.
Harris and Trump will not make opening statements.
The candidates will have two minutes to answer a question.
Then, there is a two-minute window for debate.
An additional minute can be used for clarification or a follow-up.
Trump prevailed in a virtual coin toss and chose to make the final closing statement.
Both closing statements will be two minutes long.
Harris and Trump’s microphones will be muted when their rival is speaking.
Neither candidate will be able to ask their opponent questions.
Both candidates can have a pen and some paper at their podiums.
But, they are unable to take pre-written notes into the contest.
There will be two commercial breaks but Trump and Harris’ campaign teams will not be able to give tips to their respective candidates.
Source:Â ABC News.
The reason I’m doing it is because that’s the only one that [Kamala] would do it with, because her best friend is head of ABC or ABC News, and her husband’s best friend is married to that one,” he remarked.
Trump has had a rocky relationship with the network over the years, most recently when he sued the network in a defamation lawsuit in March.
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He also sued Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos, who the former president claimed tried to harm his reputation during his March 10 interview with South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace.
Despite the turbulent connection between Trump and ABC, he will go head-to-head with Harris at 9 pm ET on ABC tonight.
