During a Sunday interview with Vice President J.D. Vance, George Stephanopoulos faced criticism for allegedly slandering border czar Tom Homan, implying that Vance was trying to dodge the topic.
One has to wonder, why does ABC News continue to operate with a broadcast license? Sure, Disney and ABC can use public airwaves, but shouldn’t they also be held to a standard of serving the public interest?
Ending an interview with a questionable dialogue involving the Vice President doesn’t seem like it fulfills that obligation.
It’s hard to see how this could be in the public interest. ABC/Disney previously dedicated two hours to left-leaning opinions and gave airtime to a well-known comedian, without offering any counterpoints. How does that benefit anyone?
It really doesn’t.
This is a clear misuse of public resources, and for those doubting that Vance didn’t respond adequately, he did. Here’s part of the exchange:
STEPHANOPOULOS: White House border czar Tom Homan was recorded accepting $50,000 in cash by FBI surveillance in September 2024. Did he keep it?
Vance: George, your portrayal is disturbing. Homan hasn’t taken bribes. You attack him because he enforces the law. That’s just misguided. I know him; he’s a decent person facing threats for wanting to uphold our immigration policies.
A more compelling story would discuss why someone like Homan, simply doing his job, faces such harassment. Journalists should investigate that.
STEPHANOPOULOS: But he denies taking bribes. So does that imply he didn’t receive the $50,000?
Vance: George, you keep bringing this up. Homan did not accept bribes. He might’ve been compensated over his career, but was there anything illegal? There’s no proof of wrongdoing.
(crosstalk)
STEPHANOPOULOS: I’m asking if he accepted that money.
Vance: To be honest, I’m puzzled by your question. What was he allegedly paid for?
STEPHANOPOULOS: The tape shows him accepting $50,000. Did he keep it?
Vance: George, $50,000 for what? Accepting fees for services isn’t illegal. The FBI hasn’t charged him, and I’ve seen no evidence linking him to any crime.
People are losing trust in your show because you’ve spent five minutes discussing a dubious claim about Homan. Meanwhile, low-income families can’t afford food due to the government shutdown, and instead of addressing urgent issues, you’re focused on unfounded allegations.
Let’s prioritize the real problems, George. I believe Americans would prefer that over delving into unsubstantiated claims.
STEPHANOPOULOS: I’m not taking a leftist approach; I’m simply asking if Homan received that money as per the FBI recording.
Thanks for your time.
Vance: No, George, I didn’t agree with your framing.
(crosstalk)
STEPHANOPOULOS: — Up next. I’ll return shortly.
How weak is this approach?
It seems that figures like President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vance don’t feel obliged to follow outdated media rules— they operate based on facts now, which empowers them against traditional media narratives.
Vance managed to clarify his points multiple times. Stephanopoulos, known for his questionable integrity, seemed frustrated when he didn’t like the answers Vance provided. Instead of fostering a constructive dialogue, he pressed with a tone that he wouldn’t have with a fellow Democrat, critiquing Vance for using typical media tactics.
What’s Stephanopoulos’ response?
Like someone bitter, he throws disparaging remarks and exits with a sense of false triumph.
Why does he act like this? Perhaps two reasons: 1) Deep down, he recognizes Vance’s points are valid, and 2) he knows that engaging with someone like Vance, who presents facts confidently, puts him at a disadvantage.
ABC News might soon realize that George Stephanopoulos is on borrowed time. The youthful charm that once characterized him has faded, and he now appears more as a partisan figure than ever, which risks damaging the network’s reputation.
It might be time to consider reevaluating the licenses given to some of these heavily biased outlets.
