A recently circulated affidavit, reportedly from an anonymous “ABC News whistleblower,” has sparked controversy by alleging close coordination between ABC News and Kamala Harris’ campaign ahead of her debate with Donald Trump. The document, which has gained traction online, makes serious claims about the network’s conduct.
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman shared screenshots of the affidavit, tagging Disney CEO Bob Iger and demanding clarification. Ackman noted that while he could not confirm the affidavit’s authenticity, he found the allegations credible, especially since the affidavit was allegedly filed the day before the debate. He also pointed out that certain details, such as Harris’ smaller podium, were mentioned in the affidavit before becoming public knowledge.
Dear Bob,
I assume that you have been made aware of this affidavit which was made public earlier today in which a whistleblower states that @ABC worked closely with the @KamalaHarris campaign in sharing the substance of the questions, avoiding certain topics,… https://t.co/Y95zdQ5Vk3
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) September 16, 2024
Ackman expressed concern over the moderators’ silence during the debate, suggesting it may raise a “negative inference.” He called on Disney to investigate, emphasizing the importance of transparency in events that could sway the outcome of a presidential election.
The affidavit’s key claims include Harris being provided with debate questions in advance, giving her an advantage over Trump. It also alleges that the Harris campaign blocked any questions regarding Joe Biden’s health and steered ABC News away from investigating embezzlement accusations against Harris’ brother-in-law.
Further, the whistleblower claims ABC staff felt pressured to comply with the Harris campaign’s requests, fearing retaliation from Trump. Secret recordings allegedly back these accusations, including demands for live fact-checking of Trump while Harris was not subjected to similar scrutiny. The affidavit has reportedly been sent to Speaker Mike Johnson, adding to the political tension surrounding the claims.
