With the September 10 debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris fast approaching, concerns are mounting over the role of Dana Walden, the Disney executive who oversees ABC News. Walden, a Biden appointee and longtime friend of Harris, is under scrutiny for her deep personal ties to the Democratic candidate, as well as her financial contributions to the Biden-Harris campaign.
Walden’s relationship with Harris extends back to the 1990s, and their connection runs deeper than politics. Walden and her husband were responsible for setting Harris up with Doug Emhoff, and they have been close friends ever since. Harris has often credited the Waldens for their role in her personal and professional life, and they have been reliable donors throughout her political career.
Although ABC News claims that Walden’s involvement is limited to corporate functions and not editorial decisions, critics argue that her influence could still affect the debate’s integrity. The fact that Harris’s campaign has reportedly pushed for rule changes, including a seated debate and permission to use notes, only adds to the controversy.
Walden’s appointment to the President’s Export Council in 2023 has also drawn attention. As an advisor on international trade, her dual role in the Biden administration and at ABC raises questions about potential conflicts of interest. With Trump’s camp wary of bias and Harris’s team denying they requested rule changes, the debate is under a cloud of suspicion before it even begins.
