Is CNN creating a hostile environment for Trump ahead of his debate with Biden? What did Trump’s spokesperson say after her mic was switched off?

The CNN network defended its decision to cut out Karoline Leavitt who is former US President Donald Trump’s spokesperson. This comes ahead of the first debate between the two presidential nominees on Thursday in Atlanta in Georgia. Anchor Kasie Hunt shut the mic of Leavitt minutes after she was answering a question posed to her regarding the upcoming debate. Further, there was a sharp exchange between the two on social media platform X after this discussion on television. This decision came after Leavitt accused the broadcaster of being biased against Trump in the last eight years.

Controversy:
When the anchor asked Leavitt about Trump’s preparations ahead of the upcoming debate on Thursday, she said that the former president was confident unlike Biden who was dependent on his advisors. She added that Trump knew what he had to say and would participate in the upcoming debate and address the American voters.


What triggered the controversy though was her comments on the two CNN anchors who would conduct the upcoming debate on Thursday. The moderators for the upcoming debate are Jake Tapper Dana Bash. Leavitt added that Trump would be walking into a hostile environment with these two moderators. She further added that it is 3-1 game with Trump on one side and Biden and these two moderators on the other side. She directly accused the CNN co-hosts of siding with Biden.

Cutting off the mic:
This is when Hunt decided to intervene and play a clip showing the two co-hosts speaking about what the upcoming debate will be all about and what Trump can expect from it. Leavitt did not leave it here and further accused the two co-hosts of hostile reporting against Trump in the last eight years. This is when Hunt decided to cut off Leavitt’s mic.

Exchanges on social media:
The two exchanged some strong views on X (formerly Twitter). Hunt said that Leavitt was always welcome on her show but she would always protect her colleagues. The latter stated that this was what Trump was against. She accused the CNN of creating a hostile environment ahead of the debate between Trump and Biden.

FAQs:

Will the members of the public be allowed into the CNN studio in Atlanta to watch the upcoming debate between Trump and Biden?
There will no public that will be allowed into the studio. Only the two presidential nominees along with their advisors and certain other media channels will be permitted to live stream the debate.

How many debates will there be between the two presidential nominees?
There will be two debates between the two of them. The first debate is on Thursday which is June 27 and the second debate is on September 10.