Corners of the Internet jumped on speculation, denied by the network, that CNN would institute a 2-minute broadcast delay to try to tilt the presidential debate to Joe Biden.
It began when Patrick Webb of Leading Report posted on X information claiming the network would institute a timed delay for the debate, which is set to begin at 9 pm sharp.
‘BREAKING: CNN will implement a 1-2 minute delay for tonight’s presidential debate instead of the standard 7-second delay, potentially allowing time to edit parts of the broadcast,’ according to the account.
That set off a wave of conspiratorial postings that the fix was in. The post quickly racked up more than 2 million views.
‘The Trump camp believes there will be at least a minute delay. Can you confirm there won’t be a delay over 7 seconds?’ Webb wrote, tagging the network.
It’s communications department responded to his original post, knocking it down.
‘This is false. The debate will begin live at 9pm ET,’ according to CNN. Webb used that response to say: ‘Thanks for confirming the delay.’
The claims and counter-claims prompted media reporter Brian Stelter, a former CNN employee, to jump in. ‘Watch out — it’s wild out here today — lots of people are falling for misinfo about the prez debate production. To address one of the B.S. claims, no, CNN is not putting the live feed on a 1/2 minute tape delay to somehow protect the elderly candidates.’
The conspiracy took off after Trump floated the idea that Biden would be ‘jacked up’ on medications during the debate. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday en route to Atlanta that she wouldn’t dignify a question about whether Biden would be medicated with a response.
CNN may provided fuel to conspiracy theorists by overruling the White House Correspondents Association and refusing to allow a pool of reporters inside the debate hall to view the contest in its entirety.
Under the terms negotiated by the campaigns, the two candidates will face
‘The pool is there for the “what ifs?” in a world where the unexpected does happen. A pool reporter is present to provide context and insight by direct observation and not through the lens of the television production,’ wrote WHCA president Kelly O’Donnell.
Trump had already claimed that the debate would be three-against-one by predicting moderators Jake Tapper and Danna Bash, both longtime D.C. correspondents.
There won’t be a studio audience, after a town hall cheered on many of Trump’s statements during the primaries.
Candidates won’t be allowed to consult with staff during commercial breaks.
Donald Trump, Jr. resumed the drug claim hours before showtime on Thursday. ‘Why would Joe Biden refuse to take a drug test? The New York Post published an article about all the drugs that he could “legally” take to give him an appearance of clarity… If he wasn’t jacked up on drugs, why wouldn’t he take such an easy test? He’ll be higher than Hunter!’ he wrote.