Fox News' Chris Wallace received mixed reviews for his performance as the moderator for the first 2020 presidential debate. Some analysts blamed him for failing to keep things under control, while others believe he did the best he could. For his part, Wallace said he's "just sad with the way" it all turned out.
In an interview with The New York Times, Wallace spoke candidly about the situation, admitting that he felt desperate while trying to prevent the candidates from interrupting each other. He also said he didn't realize until it was too late that President Trump wasn't planning to stop ignoring the ground rules (Wallace refused to say whether Trump deserved the primary blame for how things unfolded). "I never dreamt that it would go off the tracks the way it did," he told the Times, adding that, despite his lengthy journalism career, "I've never been through anything like this."
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.
-
Biden arrives in Angola for historic Africa visitSpeed Read The president intends to strengthen U.S. ties with Africa and counter China's dominance in the region
-
Patria Palace: a chic, relaxing bolthole in the heart of LecceThe Week Recommends Elegant hotel with stunning views of the city's baroque cathedral and access to a beach club on the Adriatric coast
-
'One lesson concerns the uses and limits of military power'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Biden arrives in Angola for historic Africa visit
Speed Read The president intends to strengthen U.S. ties with Africa and counter China's dominance in the region
-
Biden pardons son HunterSpeed Read Joe Biden has spared his son Hunter a possible prison sentence for felony gun and tax convictions
-
Trump says he wants loyalist Kash Patel to lead FBISpeed Read The former federal prosecutor served in senior national security roles in Trump's first administration
-
Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefireSpeed Read Both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France
-
Khan supporters converge on IslamabadSpeed Read Protesters clashing with Pakistani authorities are demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan
-
Prosecutor drops federal cases against TrumpSpeed Read Special counsel Jack Smith requested to drop the charges against President-elect Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election
-
Trump completes Cabinet selectionsSpeed Read The president-elect's latest picks include Scott Bessent and Lori Chavez-DeRemer
-
Global court issues arrest warrant for NetanyahuSpeed Read The International Criminal Court issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who stand accused of war crimes
