You’re familiar with George Stephanopoulos, correct? The haughty television host, former Bill Clinton aide, and notable media figure?
He recently found himself in a somewhat precarious situation, and we’re going to delve into it.
Stephanopoulos is strolling down a Manhattan street when, unexpectedly, he’s asked a question. He’s asked if he believes Joe Biden should resign as President. Caught off-guard, Stephanopoulos replies, “I don’t think he can serve four more years”.
#GeorgeStephanopoulos just made a STUNNING comment: he told someone on the streets of #NewYork that he doesn’t think President #JoeBiden can serve another term! https://t.co/cFMK2Uxx4z pic.twitter.com/pxKkolFcGt
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 9, 2024
This comment came on the heels his interview with Biden that didn’t go well.
To add insult to injury ABC is furious.
The network issued an announcement indicating Stephanopoulos was voicing his personal perspective, not representing the stance of the network’s news division. Internally, however, tensions were mounting.
News division president Debra O’Connell reportedly convened an urgent meeting with advisers and executives. An insider says that this remark from Stephanopoulos triggered a full-scale crisis at the network. Allegedly, O’Connell presented Stephanopoulos with an ultimatum: apologize or face suspension.
It was feared that Stephanopoulos, as an experienced broadcaster, had compromised his neutrality by expressing a personal viewpoint. O’Connell reportedly emphasized that he needed to uphold his role as an unbiased journalist. She was purportedly distressed that his statement could tarnish the news division’s impartiality and generate unwanted, embarrassing headlines.
Well, that’s what they told the press. But what are the odds that the White House called after giving Stephanopoulos the first exclusive interview following the debate and were like, “What the hell, guys?”
The Daily Mail noted that the network’s higher-ups were reportedly aware that the impact had already been made. They were reportedly concerned that this incident would be leveraged by political rivals and might result in the network receiving less access to the White House.
