James Clyburn trolled for slamming CNN's Dana Bash for not fact-checking Trump during presidential debate

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep James Clyburn (D-SC) got into an argument with CNN host Dana Bash on Sunday, June 30, over how the network conducted the first presidential debate between incumbent Joe Biden and Donald Trump last week.

The presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees faced each other at the Atlanta studio of CNN for a debate that was closely moderated by network hosts Dana Bash and Jake Tapper on Thursday, June 27.

Biden spoke in a low and barely discernible voice on stage, which fuelled his opponent's claim that he was too old to seek a second term. The performance of the incumbent shocked the Democratic Party and its supporters, and many have called upon him to step out of the race.

James Clyburn slams CNN for not fact-checking Trump during presidential debate

When Bash questioned the Congressman if there were concerns over Biden becoming the Democratic nominee after his seemingly lackluster performance in the debate, Clyburn called her out in reply and slammed the network for not fact-checking Trump during the event.

"I don’t like the debate where nobody will do any fact-checking. You just say what you want to say. You know it’s a lie. The guy told 30-some-odd lies! And nobody checked him on it! And said that was up to Joe Biden to do it. I’m not too sure," he said.

"If I ask you a question, and you lie to me with the answer, I ought to follow up, and give you what the facts are and see what your reaction to that would be. So that, to me, was not the way to plan the debate. And whoever did that, agree to that, really should think about what they’re doing," he continued.

Bash reminded Clyburn that "it was a debate agreed to by President Biden," as the latter continued to argue that Biden could serve another term at the White House.

"Yes, it was a bad performance," stated the Congressman.

"I’ve been around these things. I’ve been a part of debate preparation before, and I know when I see what I call preparation overload. And that’s exactly what was going on. The other night, I saw Joe Biden grabbing for words and phrases and even numbers that he was loaded up with. The next day, he gets to North Carolina, he’s freewheeling, and he captivated the audience."

Internet disagrees with James Clyburn's take on fact-checking Trump

Responding to Clyburn's comments on CNN, a user wrote on X, "No one wants the moderators to fact check the candidates during a debate. We have seen that before and it’s miserable. The two Thursday did a very good job asking questions and being quiet. Not fans of their work generally but they did a near perfect job."

"Clyburn carrying Biden’s water again," jibed another.

"Clyburn thinks we the people can’t see or hear the truth," stated a third.

"Making up lies to cover for decrepit old Joe," jibed a fourth user.

"Trying to deflect Joe’s incompetence and blame for it to someone else. Desperation!" exclaimed a fifth.

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