Ex-President Donald Trump has initiated a harsh rebuttal against Neil Cavuto, Fox Business Network host, following Cavuto’s criticism of Trump’s performance during the September 10 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. During his show “Cavuto: Coast to Coast,” Cavuto declared Trump’s defeat in the debate as decisive.
Engaging in a conversation with Bob Cusack, editor-in-chief of “The Hill,” Cavuto spared no criticism in reviewing Trump’s performance against Harris. “He had six prior presidential debates to this one,” Cavuto mentioned. “But this one, at least in my liking—and you’re the expert here—he decisively lost it. He might have made some very good presentations on where the economy was, but it was all over the map.”
Cavuto went further, categorizing Trump’s performance in the debate as more than a minor setback, rather a major defeat. “This was that first occasion where it wasn’t just a close call,” Cavuto stated. “It was a lopsided one.”
Several polls supported Cavuto’s comments, indicating a majority of viewers believed Harris won the debate. A CNN flash poll revealed that 63% of viewers felt Harris outdid Trump, as opposed to the 37% who favored Trump.
Not one to remain silent, Trump responded to Cavuto’s comments via his Truth Social platform. He labeled Cavuto as “Fox’s Lowest Rated Anchor” and “one of the WORST on Television,” even going so far as to state, “I actually prefer the losers at CNN and MSDNC!”
Post-debate polls echoed Cavuto’s evaluation. A YouGov poll indicated that 54% of registered voters believed Harris won the debate, while a mere 31% backed Trump. Controversy surrounded Trump’s performance, as he disseminated untrue statements on subjects such as immigration, thereby alienating some voters.
Despite the backlash, Trump’s supporters quickly defended him, citing alternative polls. In a Truth Social post, Trump highlighted surveys conducted on platforms like X and Newsmax, where 93% of respondents believed he had won the debate. Trump utilized these polls to argue that Harris is requesting another debate because “she lost so badly.”
While Cavuto and other political analysts condemned Trump’s performance, not all agreed that the debate would significantly impact the election. A Reuters/Ipsos poll suggested that although Harris had a slight lead over Trump in the presidential race, the debate did not drastically influence the majority of voters. Reportedly, 82% of those polled stated that the debate had not swayed their presidential choice.
Trump and Cavuto’s public discord is not a new occurrence. With a history of public disagreements, Trump has previously referred to Cavuto as “garbage” after the anchor criticized him on multiple occasions. This latest cycle of criticism only further strains the relationship between Trump and certain sections of the conservative media, who are beginning to distance themselves from the former president’s rhetoric.
In the aftermath of this recent dispute, it is uncertain whether Trump will consent to another debate with Harris or maintain his claim of victory in the first one. For now, Trump’s ire towards Cavuto continues to attract attention, with his supporters steadfastly supporting his performance, despite more neutral polls suggesting a contrasting story.