During Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate, CBS moderators cut the microphones of Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) following a heated exchange initiated by a fact check from moderator Margaret Brennan. The fact-checking moment arose after Vance commented on immigration issues in Springfield, Ohio, prompting Brennan to note that the city hosts a significant number of Haitian migrants with legal, temporary protected status.
The dispute escalated as Vance challenged the moderators’ decision to fact-check, asserting the need to address what he claimed were discrepancies in the discussion. “The rules that you were not going to fact-check, and since you’re fact checking me, I think it’s important to say what’s actually going on,” Vance stated, criticizing Vice President Harris’s handling of asylum claims at the southern border.
Despite Vance’s insistence, Brennan attempted to steer the conversation forward, acknowledging Vance’s description of the legal processes involved. “Thank you senator for describing the legal process,” she said, as Vance continued to speak over her.
Did CBS Break Their Own Rules for the Debate?
Governor Walz interjected, pointing out the longstanding nature of the immigration laws, to which Vance responded by highlighting recent changes under the current administration. As the exchange intensified, co-moderator Norah O’Donnell visibly muted both microphones. Despite the muted microphones, Vance’s remarks about a policy attributed to Harris could still be faintly heard in the debate hall.
Brennan addressed the silenced debaters, emphasizing the moderators’ prerogative to mute the microphones to facilitate a more orderly discussion. “The audience can’t hear you because your mics are cut,” she remarked, expressing a desire to move on to other topics.
The debate rules, as outlined by the moderators at the beginning, included a stipulation that they could mute microphones to ensure a civil discussion, and they directed viewers to an online blog for real-time fact-checking.
Former President Trump weighed in on the proceedings via Truth Social, criticizing the CBS moderators for alleged bias and accusing them of attempting to influence the debate’s outcome unfavorably against the Republican candidate.
