Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani on Wednesday asked the Commission on Presidential Debates to move up the last presidential debate to the first week in September, according to Axios. In his letter to the commission, he also included a list of suggested moderators.
The list included several mainstream journalists, such as Norah O'Donnell of CBS News and David Muir of ABC News. But it also contained a number of right-wing pundits, like Hugh Hewitt.
On Debate Moderators: – 40% of Trump suggestions are Fox News or Fox Business affiliates. – Chris Wallace & Les… https://t.co/NGewNgMUuB— Michael M. Grynbaum (@Michael M. Grynbaum) 1596656203.0
The full list includes Bret Baier, Gerry Baker, Maria Bartiromo, Shannon Bream, David Brody, Rachel Campos-Duffy, Kevin Cirilli, Larry Elder, Saagar Enjeti, Harris Faulkner, Major Garrett, Michael Goodwin, Ambrosio Hernandez, Joe Kernen, Hoda Kotb, Susan Li, Bill Hemmer, Hugh Hewitt, Tom Llamas, Dagen McDowell, David Muir, Norah O’Donnell, Charles Payne, and Rick Santelli.
CNN's Daniel Dale noted that a number of people on the list had "given Trump fawning softball interviews."
The list quickly ignited mockery on Twitter:
@SpiroAgnewGhost @RadioFreeTom but we know Trump needs weak moderators— Jennifer Rubin (@Jennifer Rubin) 1596656489.0
Surprised Roger Stone did not make final cut for Trump debate moderator list. So unfair.— Francis Wilkinson (@Francis Wilkinson) 1596656458.0
One thing that stands out from this hilarious list of Trump-approved moderators, is that there is no Democratic equ… https://t.co/t4lu8Rt2SA— David Atkins (@David Atkins) 1596656273.0
@daveweigel Rachel Campos-Duffy. Sean Duffy's wife. I am confused. It's a debate not an MTV show.— kathmandu (@kathmandu) 1596655664.0
It’s kinda fitting that @realDonaldTrump chose someone who’s being investigated by a grand jury to be his debate negotiator.— Joe Lockhart (@Joe Lockhart) 1596656838.0
@daveweigel So many bootlicking hacks, ha ha ha!— Popinski (@Popinski) 1596655565.0
Fox&Friends the debate edition. https://t.co/3FHYsz7wO2— Amr Khalifa (@Amr Khalifa) 1596656879.0
There is some irony that Santelli is a suggested moderator given that Santelli's rant on the Chicago trading floor… https://t.co/PEBzD29Ark— Eric Michael Garcia (@Eric Michael Garcia) 1596657051.0
Man, how insulting would it be to be an acceptable moderator to Donald Trump? That means you’ve done a terrible job… https://t.co/61NHOC3Jrl— Ben Yelin (@Ben Yelin) 1596655550.0
@yashar Why not just have diamond and silk be the moderators— Noho hizzy 🇵🇹🇺🇸 (@Noho hizzy 🇵🇹🇺🇸) 1596656670.0
