WURD, a Philadelphia-based Black-owned radio station, parted ways with its host after she revealed that the White House had given her a list of pre-determined questions ahead of her interview with President Biden last week.
Andrea Lawful Sanders acknowledged in an interview with CNN on Saturday that Biden’s team sent her eight questions ahead of her interview last Wednesday on “The Source.” Lawful Sanders said she “approved” four of the questions and used them in her interview with the president, which was the president’s first since his disastrous debate defeat last month.
The questions focused on Biden’s record, his performance in the debates, progress in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, election issues, and what he would say to voters who are considering not voting in the presidential election.
Flashback: Biden has a history of coordinating “scripted” interviews and press conferences with the media in advance.
Screenshot: Radio host Andrea Lawfull Sanders (right) revealed on CNN that the Biden campaign sent her questions ahead of the interview. (Screenshot/CNN)
On Sunday, WURD President and CEO Sarah M. Lomax announced that Lawful Sanders and WURD had “mutually agreed to part ways,” and emphasized that “WURD Radio does not represent Biden or any other administration.”
“The first post-debate interview with President Joe Biden on July 3 was independently arranged and negotiated by WURD radio host Andrea Lawful Sanders without the knowledge, consultation or cooperation of WURD management.” Lomax said in a statement. on sunday.
“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,” she added.
MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 12: Andrea Lawfull-Saunders speaks at the Cannes Can: Diversity Collective Inkwell Beach – 2021 Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival on August 12, 2021 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Inkwell Beach)
Lomax said WURD remains an independent voice in radio and that agreeing to a pre-approved list of questions would “jeopardize” the trust listeners have placed in the station for 20 years “to hold elected officials accountable.”
“We are taking this very seriously,” her statement read.
“This practice of delegitimizing Black voices continues today. WURD Radio does not represent the Biden Administration or any other administration. Internally, we are committed to reviewing our policies, procedures and practices to strengthen WURD’s independence and trust with our listeners. However, mainstream media should introspect themselves and explore how they have lost the trust of so many Americans, particularly Black Americans.”
Second local radio host acknowledges receiving questions from Biden campaign ahead of Presidential interview
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 29: US President Joe Biden stands on stage being introduced by US Vice President Kamala Harris during a campaign rally at Girard College on May 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
Lawful Sanders’ show page had been removed from the WURD website as of Sunday afternoon.
Her resignation came shortly after a second local radio host who interviewed Biden days after the presidential debate acknowledged receiving questions in advance. Provided to ABC NewsWisconsin radio host Earl Ingram posed five questions to Biden in a recent interview, but acknowledged that he wasn’t able to answer them all by the end of the interview.
CNN’s Blackwell told Lawful Sanders that he listened to both interviews and that the questions were “essentially the same.” After his debate performance raised serious concerns about Biden’s mental capacity and prompted calls for him to drop out of the race, the radio appearances were positioned as an opportunity for Biden to prove he could answer pointed questions to voters and defend his record.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Biden campaign spokeswoman Lauren Hitt defended the practice of sending questions ahead of an interview.
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“It is not unusual for an interviewee to discuss their favorite topics. These questions were related to the news of the day. The President was asked about his performance in the debate, what he has done for black Americans, etc,” she said. “We do not make it a condition of the interview that he accept these questions. Hosts are always free to ask the questions they believe will be most helpful to listeners. In addition to these interviews, the President also participated in a press conference and an interview with ABC yesterday. Since the debate, Americans have had the opportunity to watch several unscripted interviews of his.”
Lawful Sanders did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fox News’ Hannah Panrec contributed to this report.
