Andrew Yang and NBC are now arguing over whether his mic was off during the Democratic debate


NBC is denying 2020 Democrat Andrew Yang's claim that he wasn't able to speak for much of Thursday's Democratic debate because his microphone was turned off.
Yang, who spoke only briefly during the second round of debates, tweeted on Friday morning that "I feel bad for those who tuned in to see and support me that I didn't get more airtime," promising he "will do better" next time and that "my mic being off unless called on didn’t help."
This wasn't Yang's first time accusing NBC of shutting his mic off, as directly after the debate, he told supporters, "There were also a few times, FYI, where I just started talking, being like, 'Hey, I'd like to add something there,' and my mic was not on," Yang said, Politico reports. "It's not like if you start talking it all of a sudden takes over the convo. It's like I was talking and nothing was happening." He also said that he "felt somewhat, like, mechanically restricted."
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.
This statement from Yang was surprising considering numerous candidates during the debate did begin speaking and interrupting one another when not called on. On Friday, NBC pushed back on Yang's claim, with a spokesperson for the network telling The Washington Post, "At no point during the debate was any candidate's microphone turned off or muted." The network was, however, faced with some audio glitches during the debates, having to take a break on Wednesday when the previous moderators' microphones were left on.
Yang's supporters seized on his statement on Friday using the Twitter hashtag #LetYangSpeak, which Yang approved of, writing, "Haha #LetYangSpeak indeed. You all are the best." He also dissed NBC by expressing relief that July's debate will be hosted elsewhere, writing, "I'm glad that the network switches and we get different moderators each time."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
ICE agents take down Lady Justice | June 21 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include ICE, Donald Trump as a lion tamer, and ordering from the Bible
-
5 editorial cartoons about ICE raids
Cartoons Political cartoonists take on ICE raids, harvesting Big Macs for Donald Trump, and what to do when Stephen Miller shows up at the front door
-
Grilled radicchio with caper and anchovy sauce recipe
The Week Recommends Smoky twist on classic Italian flavours is perfect to grill, drizzle and devour
-
Trump's LA deployment in limbo after court rulings
Speed Read Judge Breyer ruled that Trump's National Guard deployment to Los Angeles was an 'illegal' overreach. But a federal appellate court halted the ruling.
-
Marines, National Guard in LA can detain Americans
speed read The troops have been authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration raids
-
Trump vows 'very big force' against parade protesters
Speed Read The parade, which will shut down much of the capital, will celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday
-
Smithsonian asserts its autonomy from Trump
speed read The DC institution defied Trump's firing of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet
-
Trump sends Marines to LA, backs Newsom arrest
speed read California Gov. Gavin Newsom is filing lawsuits in response to Trump's escalation of the federal response to ICE protests
-
Trump foists National Guard on unwilling California
speed read Protests erupted over ICE immigration raids in LA county
-
Supreme Court lowers bar in discrimination cases
speed read The court ruled in favor of a white woman who claimed she lost two deserved promotions to gay employees
-
Trump-Musk relationship implodes in taunts, threats
speed read Musk said Trump's multitrillion bill would cause a recession and accused the president of involvement with Jeffrey Epstein