Your tip
RadarOnlineRadarOnline
or
Sign in with lockrMail
BREAKING NEWS

Who Is Trump's Fact-Checking Debate Anchor David Muir? Inside Life of ABC Host Whose Ratings PLUNGED After Challenging Ex-POTUS

Who is Trump's Fact-Checking Debate Anchor David Muir? Inside Life of ABC Anchor Whose Ratings PLUNGED After Challenging Ex-POTUS
Source: MEGA

David Muir, together with Linsey Davis, fact-checked Donald Trump's claims live during the presidential debate.

Sept. 27 2024, Published 9:30 a.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

About David Muir's Personal Life

david muir
Source: MEGA

According to his ABC News bio, Syracuse, New York native David Muir graduated magna cum laude from Ithaca College. He also studied at the Institute on Political Journalism at Georgetown University and the University of Salamanca in Spain.

Article continues below advertisement

What Is David Muir's Current Position at ABC News?

david muir
Source: MEGA

Currently, Muir works as the anchor and managing editor of ABC World News Tonight with David Muir and the co-anchor of 20/20.

For more than two decades, the journalist has reported from different countries – including Ukraine, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Fukushima, Beirut, Gaza, Amman, South Sudan and Guantanamo.

He has also presented in-depth specials for the network, including The Children of Auschwitz.

David Muir Is a Recipient of Several Awards

david muir
Source: MEGA

Muir's work in the industry has been recognized by different award-giving bodies – including the Emmy Awards and the Edward R. Murrow Awards.

In addition, his reporting on climate change scored him the prestigious George Polk Award and the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Award.

Most recently, Muir received the 40th Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.

Article continues below advertisement

David Muir Set Several Records as a Journalist

david muir
Source: MEGA
MORE ON:
ABC

DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.

Amid his successful career, Muir has collected several "firsts".

He reported from the Hungarian/Serbian border, becoming the first American journalist to present from Europe's refugee crisis scene.

He also became the first American anchor to interview President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the first network anchor to sit down for a discussion with then-President Donald Trump amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Article continues below advertisement

David Muir Moderated Debates in the Past

david muir
Source: MEGA

Muir's skills have made him a great pick to moderate debates.

He chaired the Democratic and Republican presidential primary debates – including the ones held in February 2016 and September 2019.

Article continues below advertisement

David Muir Co-Moderated the Harris–Trump Debate

david muir
Source: MEGA

Muir and Linsey Davis moderated Kamala Harris and Trump's first presidential debate on September 10.

During the heated discussion, the seasoned anchors fact-checked the ex-POTUS and his claims – including the repeatedly debunked claim about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio killing pets and eating them.

Muir said: "I just want to clarify here. You bring up Springfield, Ohio. ABC News did reach out to the city manager there.

"He told us there have been no credible reports of specific claims of pets being harmed, injured or abused by individuals within the immigrant community."

When Trump argued back, Muir replied, "I'm not taking this from television. I'm taking this from the city manager."

The Apprentice star then fired back: "People are on television saying the dog was eaten by the people that went there."

Article continues below advertisement

David Muir's Newscast Ratings Have Plummeted Following the Presidential Debate

david muir
Source: MEGA

Following the debate, Muir lost some viewers and his newscast ratings declined.

His ABC World News Tonight experienced a 12% drop and only had an average of 6.7 million viewers in the three episodes aired since after the debate.

The show had 7.6 million viewers leading up to the September 10 event.

Rumors spread online after the debate, including reports Muir and his co-moderator Davis were fired from ABC, were quickly debunked.

Have a tip? Send it to us! Email RadarOnline.com at tips@radaronline.com.

More From Radar Online

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 RADAR ONLINE™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. RADAR ONLINE is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.