Mainstream media outlets are attacking each other as the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) slams CNN for hiding its debate studio from reporters, a criticism that comes as the Biden campaign appears to be manipulating the rules of negotiation for the highly-anticipated presidential debates.
In the letter, the WHCA detailed its concerns, noting that it has “advocated for the inclusion of White House travel staff in the debate studios” in a variety of ways, including by lobbying the White House, the campaign and CNN directly.
The WHCA said it appreciated CNN allowing its still photographers inside the studios, but was “deeply concerned by CNN’s refusal to allow White House visitors inside the studios despite repeated requests.”
“Through dialogue and advocacy, we have asked CNN to allow at least one print polling reporter into the studio during the debate,” the WHCA said, adding that only one print reporter would be allowed into the studio “for a short period of time to assess the situation” during commercial breaks.
But the WHCA stated that it was “not enough” and “undermined the core principles of presidential reporting.”
“White House observers have a duty to record, report on, and witness the President’s events and actions on behalf of the American people,” the report said, emphasizing the importance of the existence of such an independent observer group.
The WHCA further stated that both campaigns support the request.
The WHCA also noted that the debate will not have a live audience and microphones will be muted (both at the request of the Biden campaign), explaining that backup reporters will be present at the debate to “observe what is being said and done when the microphones are off, or when either candidate is not on camera but is speaking, gesturing, moving or otherwise engaged.”
Ultimately, the WHCA asked CNN to “adjust its plans” and “for the sake of the news cycle, for the sake of history, and most importantly, for the sake of the American people, to welcome a White House traveling pool of printers to watch the full debate.”
Scoop: The White House Correspondents’ Association says it is “deeply concerned” that CNN “refused repeated requests to allow White House visitors into the studio.” Full statement: pic.twitter.com/qe3Y8Austz
— Ben Mullin (@BenMullin) June 27, 2024
The request coincides with a stark reality: the Biden campaign seems to be taking control of the debate rules, making clear just weeks ago that it is staunchly opposed to a live audience. “Debates should be conducted for the American voters watching on television or at home, not as entertainment for an audience of loud or disruptive partisans and donors who consume valuable debate time with their raucous cheers and heckling,” the Biden campaign wrote in a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates.
of The New York Times The Biden campaign confirmed that it did not request an audience for the network debate, arguing that this was “likely based on a perception that Mr. Trump is inclined to please and profit from his supporters.”
moreover, Times The Biden campaign also confirmed they had requested that the microphones be muted.
“Candidates’ microphones will be muted when it is not their turn to speak – another request from Biden – to prevent Trump’s tendency to interrupt his opponent during debates.” Times report.
Combine this with CNN co-hosts Jake Tapper and Dana Bash’s history of anti-Trump bias, and the fact that the Trump campaign’s national manager was interrupted on CNN on June 24 for pointing out such bias, and former President Donald Trump once again seems at a disadvantage. But history has shown that Trump tends not only to survive but to thrive in such hostile environments, and on Thursday night, many predicted that history would repeat itself.
