DINH DOONG

In the aftermath of a tumultuous presidential debate, ABC finds itself grappling with its lowest ratings ever for its moderators, leaving the network in damage control mode. After viewers across the nation erupted in outrage, accusing the moderators of bias and poor handling of the event, ABC was forced to face a reality check. Now, with plummeting numbers and criticism mounting, the network has come forward with a rare admission: “We made a mistake.”

This shocking confession has left many wondering what went so wrong, and how a seasoned network like ABC could let a nationally televised debate turn into what critics are calling “a mess of historic proportions.” Moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis, once considered to be reliable anchors, now find themselves at the center of a ratings freefall, as even the most loyal viewers turn their backs on what they perceived as one-sided, overzealous moderation.

The presidential debate that aired on ABC was supposed to be a critical moment in the election cycle—a chance for the American people to hear from the candidates and make informed decisions. But what was supposed to be a measured exchange of ideas quickly devolved into chaos, largely due to the moderators’ approach.

David Muir and Linsey Davis, the seasoned journalists tasked with keeping order, were widely criticized for constantly interrupting Donald Trump while allowing Kamala Harris to speak almost unchecked. The uneven treatment sparked immediate reactions on social media, where viewers accused the moderators of blatant favoritism.

“Did Muir and Davis forget their job was to moderate and not participate?” tweeted one irate viewer. “That wasn’t a debate—it was an ambush.”

The criticism wasn’t limited to a few disgruntled Twitter users. News outlets and media critics weighed in on what they saw as a gross failure in journalistic objectivity. Even some of ABC’s own former employees subtly threw shade, with one retired anchor remarking, “It’s sad to see the state of debate moderation today. This isn’t the journalism I remember.”

As the debate ended and the dust settled, it became clear that the backlash wasn’t just online noise. ABC’s moderator ratings began to tank almost immediately, marking a record low for the network. According to industry sources, viewership for post-debate coverage also saw a steep decline, with many viewers switching off before the broadcast even finished.

“It’s a disaster for ABC,” said one media analyst. “The network’s credibility has taken a huge hit. The American public doesn’t just want flashy production—they want fairness. And that’s where ABC failed.”

The numbers speak for themselves. Nielsen ratings indicated that ABC’s audience for the debate and its aftermath was among the lowest in the network’s history, particularly in key demographics. For a network that has long prided itself on its political coverage, this is a wake-up call.

“We’ve seen low ratings before, but nothing like this,” admitted one ABC insider. “It’s clear that something went very wrong.”

In the wake of the ratings catastrophe, ABC executives did something almost unheard of in modern media—they admitted they had made a mistake.

“We strive to present fair, balanced coverage of important national events,” read a statement from the network. “In this instance, we failed to meet the expectations of our viewers. We made a mistake, and we are committed to learning from it.”

The admission, while refreshing, has done little to quell the outrage. Many feel that the network’s statement is too little, too late. Critics argue that ABC should have seen the problem coming, and some are even calling for the network to re-evaluate its entire approach to political coverage.

“Admitting you made a mistake is the first step, but what are they going to do about it?” asked one media commentator. “The real question is, will they change, or will they keep doing more of the same?”

At the center of this controversy are David Muir and Linsey Davis, two of ABC’s most prominent anchors. For years, they have been considered stalwarts of serious journalism, but now their reputations are being questioned. Both Muir and Davis were trending on social media for all the wrong reasons in the days following the debate, with calls for their removal growing louder by the minute.

“David Muir was supposed to be a neutral moderator,” one disgruntled viewer posted. “Instead, it felt like he was coaching Kamala Harris through the debate. What happened to objective journalism?”

While Davis has largely remained silent, Muir reportedly addressed the criticism in private conversations, stating that he was simply doing his job and that moderating debates is never easy. Still, that hasn’t stopped the outcry.

“Muir and Davis have a responsibility as journalists to keep things fair,” said one prominent media critic. “And whether they intended to or not, they let their own biases show. That’s the real issue here.”

So where does ABC go from here? The network has a long road ahead if it wants to repair the damage caused by this debate debacle. The ratings drop is one thing, but the loss of trust from viewers could have long-term consequences.

Media experts suggest that ABC may need to rethink its entire approach to moderating debates if it wants to recover. That could mean replacing Muir and Davis, or at the very least, implementing stricter guidelines for ensuring neutrality during live events.

“There’s no quick fix here,” said one media consultant. “ABC is going to have to show that they’re serious about restoring credibility. Otherwise, they risk alienating more of their audience.”

In the meantime, viewers seem to be shifting their attention to other networks. Fox News and CNN, both of which have also faced their share of controversy, are reportedly seeing an uptick in interest as ABC’s reputation continues to falter.

In the cutthroat world of news media, ratings are king. And while ABC’s willingness to admit fault is commendable, it remains to be seen whether the network will truly learn from this experience. The next debate—or any major event moderated by ABC—will be the real test of whether they can course-correct.

For now, ABC is in damage control mode, but the fallout from this debate controversy isn’t going away anytime soon. As viewers continue to express their dissatisfaction, the network is under pressure like never before to prove that it can deliver fair, unbiased journalism—something that, for many, seems increasingly elusive in today’s media landscape.

Only time will tell whether ABC can regain the trust of its viewers, or if this debate will go down as one of the most damaging moments in the network’s history. One thing is for sure, though: the world will be watching closely to see how ABC responds.