CNN has defended both Jake Tapper and Dana Bash amid backlash and criticism of their perceived political biases.
In a statement to The Hill’s Dominick Mastrangelo, the network stood behind its decision to choose the pair to moderate the first presidential debate from its Atlanta studios this week.
“Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are well-respected veteran journalists who have covered politics for more than five decades combined. They have extensive experience moderating major political debates, including CNN’s Republican Presidential Primary Debate this cycle,” a network spokesperson said. “There are no two people better equipped to co-moderate a substantial and fact-based discussion and we look forward to the debate on June 27 in Atlanta.”
The defense of the moderators comes after CNN This Morning host Kasie Hunt prematurely ended an interview with former President Donald Trump’s national press secretary Karoline Leavitt after she continually levied criticisms against Tapper.
Hunt fiercely defended her colleagues both on the air in ending the interview with Leavitt and also in a social media post.
“You come on my show, you respect my colleagues. Period,” wrote Hunt on X. “I don’t care what side of the aisle you stand on, as my track record clearly shows.”
