The debate, while a ratings hit, quickly became a nightmare for the network’s marketing team. It wasn’t just about the fact-checking—it was the entire atmosphere. The moderators, despite their best efforts, had managed to alienate everyone. Trump supporters accused them of bias, Harris fans complained they were too soft, and even the ABC fact-checkers themselves reportedly filed grievances, claiming they were overworked and underappreciated.
But the real blow came when the advertisers—those sweet, moneybags sponsors—decided they’d had enough.
“We paid for prime time ad spots, not political commentary,” fumed an executive from one of the now-absent sponsors. “I was halfway through our product placement for a high-end electric car when suddenly Muir is talking about Springfield, Ohio’s dog-eating crisis. I’m sorry, but that’s not the kind of attention we’re looking for.”
Another advertiser, a household cleaning product brand, pulled no punches in their criticism. “We clean up messes, but ABC made one so big even our best-selling bleach can’t fix it.”
