CBS News briefly muted the microphones of vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz during a heated exchange in Tuesday's debate. The incident occurred when Vance, the Republican candidate, objected to moderator Margaret Brennan correcting his statement about immigration. Vance claimed that illegal immigrants were overwhelming cities like Springfield, Ohio, to which Brennan interjected that the Haitians who had moved there were legally present.
Vance responded, "Since you’re fact-checking me, it’s important to say what is actually going on." When Brennan attempted to move the debate to another topic, both candidates began talking over each other until CBS News muted their microphones. Brennan addressed the situation by saying, "Gentlemen, the audience can’t hear you because your mics are cut."
The debate highlighted the challenges moderators face in real-time fact-checking during live political events. CBS News had initially stated that it would be up to the candidates to fact-check each other. Vance accused the network of breaking its own rules.
This comes after last month’s debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, where moderators corrected Trump multiple times, drawing criticism from his supporters. Fact-checking remains a contentious issue in this election season, as networks strive to ensure accuracy while navigating candidates' heated exchanges.
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