In her latest media attack, conservative commentator Candace Owens has set her sights on two of ABC’s top news anchors: David Muir and Linsey Davis. Known for her strong criticism of the mainstream media, Owens didn’t hold back, calling the duo “an embarrassment to their profession” after their moderation at a recent high-profile political debate. The criticism, delivered in Owens’ signature direct style, has sparked intense discussions on social media, with supporters and detractors alike debating whether the anchors crossed the line between unbiased journalism and partisan favoritism.
Owens, who has gained a sizable audience by criticizing what she calls “woke culture” and biased reporting, targeted Muir and Davis after their performance during the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The debate, which was already mired in controversy, further became a media circus when Owens took to Twitter to lash out at ABC moderators for what she perceived as a biased approach to their role.
“David Muir and Linsey Davis are an embarrassment to journalism,” Owens tweeted. “What we witnessed was not moderation, it was a blatant attempt to help Kamala Harris. They did not even pretend to be impartial.”
This is not Owens’ first run-in with traditional media. Over the years, she has become a focus of both support and controversy, not hesitating to point out what she considers left-wing bias in major news networks. However, her decision to attack Muir and Davis, both considered respected news anchors, has further fueled the heated debate over impartiality in the media.
During the debate in question, Muir and Davis repeatedly corrected Donald Trump, a move Owens and other conservative figures deemed unnecessary and partisan. While fact-checking has become a norm in modern political discourse, Owens argued that the moderators focused excessively on Trump, allowing Kamala Harris to avoid scrutiny for some of her own statements.
“They treated Kamala Harris like she was a guest on The View — all easy questions and free passes,” Owens said in a subsequent video posted to her YouTube channel. “Meanwhile, Trump couldn’t say two words without them stepping in to correct him. It was a joke.”
Owens’ criticism of the debate moderation has resonated with many on the right, who argue that mainstream media has long favored Democrats. Her comments quickly went viral, generating a flurry of responses from both her supporters and those who staunchly disagree with her stance.
Unsurprisingly, Owens’ comments did not go unnoticed by mainstream media, with several outlets defending Muir and Davis from her allegations. ABC News responded indirectly, claiming that the network’s moderators were simply doing their jobs by making sure candidates were held accountable for their statements.
“Moderators have a responsibility to fact-check candidates, especially when misinformation is being spread,” an ABC spokesperson said in a statement. “David Muir and Linsey Davis performed their duties professionally and impartially, as they always do.”
However, Owens and her supporters were not convinced. They argue that the media’s idea of “fact-checking” has become synonymous with attacking conservative viewpoints while giving liberal candidates a free pass.
“What they call ‘fact-checking’ is really cutting off one side and letting the other side through,” Owens said during a guest appearance on a conservative podcast. “If you’re going to fact-check, do it fairly. Don’t pretend to be neutral when everyone can see you’re playing favorites.”
Her comments have sparked broader discussions about the role of debate moderators and the fine line they must walk between holding candidates accountable and appearing biased. While some agree that Muir and Davis may have been too aggressive with Trump, others argue that fact-checking is crucial in today’s media landscape, especially when misinformation can spread quickly online.
As with most issues involving Candace Owens, her comments ignited a firestorm on social media. Hashtags like #DisgraceToJournalism and #StandWithMuirAndDavis began trending, with both sides of the political spectrum standing firm on their positions.
This is not Owens’ first clash with media figures over what she perceives as unfair treatment of her peerss conservatives, but this particular battle has gained significant traction, largely because Muir and Davis are regarded by many as balanced voices in television news. Owens, however, remains unfazed by their reputations.
“Just because someone has been in the industry for a long time doesn’t mean they’re beyond criticism,” he said.