Chris Cuomo hits moderators over fact-checking at debate

NewsNation host Chris Cuomo criticized CBS News’s moderators Tuesday evening during the vice presidential debate, after anchor Margaret Brennan fact-checked one of Sen. JD Vance’s (R-Ohio) comments.

The moderators cut off the microphones of both Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) after Brennan questioned the Ohio senator’s remarks about Haitian migrants eating pets in his home state — a conspiracy theory that has made national headlines in recent weeks after Vance amplified it.

Brennan told the viewers that Springfield, Ohio, “does have a large number of Haitian migrants who have legal status [and] Temporary Protected Status.” Vance then called out the fact-checking, which CBS had said its moderators would not do in real time, and tried to speak more on the topic.

“The bigger problem is, why he was moved on?” Cuomo said on NewsNation following the debate. “‘We’ve got so much to get to.’ Says who? What is the schedule here?”

His comment was in reference to Brennan, who along with anchor Norah O’Donnell attempted to move to another subject while Vance, former President Trump’s running mate, continued speaking about the migrants.

“The rules that you were not going to fact-check, and since you’re fact-checking me, I think it’s important to say what’s actually going on,” Vance said.

“Thank you senator for describing the legal process,” Brennan interjected.

“Kamala Harris opened up that pathway,” the Ohio Republican continued, as Walz attempted to jump in. O’Donnell then muted the microphones, a power accepted by the candidates when they agreed to the rules.

Cuomo, who praised the debate performance of both vice presidential hopefuls as “refreshing,” said Vance was “right,” but added that “there’s nuance to it.” 

“You have a list of topics? That’s not what this is about,” he said. “It’s about how the American people can access these two men and the two theories and the narratives, and you’ve got to let them have their speak.”

“Because now, you created a story where you’re the problem which is a huge theory of the case for the exact guy that wound up being the subject of that,” Cuomo added.

The NewsNation host said the exchange “will not matter” but argued it will be “in the media cycle.” 

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill.