Rand Paul wants to ban George Stephanopoulos from moderating 2016 debates
After ABC News chief anchor and chief political correspondent George Stephanopoulos announced that he had donated money to the Clinton Foundation, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) suggested that Stephanopoulos shouldn't moderate any 2016 presidential debates.
"It's impossible to divorce yourself from that, even if you try," Paul told The New York Times. "I just think it's really, really hard, because he's been there, so close to them, that there would be a conflict of interest if he tried to be a moderator of any sort."
Stephanopoulos, who was one of Bill Clinton's closest advisors during his first term as president, issued an apology on Thursday for not disclosing his donations while reporting on the foundation, and ABC News expressed its support for him in a separate statement. But Paul isn't the only one who still has a bone to pick with the anchor: On Thursday, Sen. Mike Lee's (R-Utah) communications director tweeted that he won't allow Lee to be interviewed on ABC until Stephanopoulos distances himself from 2016 coverage. Clinton Cash author Peter Schweizer also called Stephanopoulos' omission "a massive breach of ethical standards."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Update, 2:35 p.m.: Stephanopoulos told Politico on Thursday that he "probably shouldn't have" donated money to the Clinton Foundation and clarified that he donated $75,000 to the foundation, not $50,000, as Politico had previously reported. Stephanopoulos also said he won't moderate ABC's GOP primary debate in February.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
-
Cicada-geddon: the fungus that controls insects like 'zombies'
Under The Radar Expert says bugs will develop 'hypersexualisation' despite their genitals falling off
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Is the Gaza war tearing US university campuses apart?
Today's Big Question Protests at Columbia University, other institutions, pit free speech against student safety
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published