A Philadelphia radio station has cut ties with a host who acknowledged asking her questions provided by President Biden’s team, a WURD radio executive confirmed Sunday.
Andrea Lawfull-Sanders, former host of “The Source” on WURD 96.1 FM, Earned the first interview after the debate I met with Biden last Wednesday.
But on Saturday, she revealed on CNN’s “First of All with Victor Blackwell” that she received eight questions from Biden’s team, four of which she used as her only questions for the president.
WURD Radio President and CEO Sarah Lomax said Sunday that she was not involved in the interview negotiations.
“The interview featured pre-determined questions prepared by the White House, which runs counter to our practice of remaining an independent media outlet accountable to our listeners. As a result, Lawful Sanders and WURD Radio have agreed to part ways, effective immediately.” Lomax says.
WURD is Pennsylvania’s only Black-owned and operated talk radio station. According to the company’s website:.
Many observers were surprised that the White House was involved in crafting the interview questions for the campaign.
“WURD Radio has built a relationship of trust with our audience throughout its 20-year history, which is something we take very seriously. Agreeing to a pre-determined set of questions would put that trust at risk,” Lomax added.
“Black media has a long history of advocating for the interests of the Black community,” Lomax continued. “This practice of delegitimizing Black voices continues today. WURD Radio does not represent the Biden Administration or any other administration.”
What to know about the impact of President Biden’s debate performance:
Despite her team having prepared several questions, Biden faltered in the interview, at one point claiming she was proud to be “the first Black woman to work with a Black president.”
WMCS host Earl Ingram, who interviewed Biden after WURD following Lawful Sanders’ revelations, said he, too, Questions were given in advance And we chose to use them.
The Biden-Harris campaign is adamant that the White House “did not manage the process.”
“While interview hosts have previously been free to ask any question they wanted, they will now refrain from suggesting questions,” a source familiar with Biden’s media booking practices previously wrote in The Washington Post.
Biden, 81, has come under scrutiny since his performance in last month’s debate with former President Donald Trump stoked concerns among Democrats about his fitness to serve as president.
During the argument, Biden at times appeared blank-faced, stumped and lost his train of thought.
Biden later took responsibility for his performance, claiming he was “exhausted” going into the debate, but insisted he was up to the job as president.
