NewsNation Becomes the Latest to Propose a Harris-Trump Presidential Debate

NewsNation joins the increasing number of TV news outlets looking to broadcast a presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

In letters sent to each candidate’s campaign staff on Sunday and reviewed by Variety, Newstar executive Sean Compton, who manages NewsNation for its parent company Nexstar Media group, suggested that both campaigns consider the cable network. This followed Trump's declaration on Saturday that he would not participate in an event Planned withABC News for September 10 and instead proposed a debate with Fox News on September 4. 

"I'd like to offer an alternative that would satisfy both candidates - not to mention the American public - a fair, respectful and even-handed debate on NewsNation, co-sponsored by The Hill," said Compton, referring to the political-news media outlets also earned by Nexstar. He added:"We of course are flexible on the timing, format and location of the debate, although we certainly expect it would be held in a battleground state such as Pennsylvania." 

The NewsNation Proposal highlights the Increasing approach of news outlets in securing a role in the events leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Some of that is encouraged by Democrats' and Republican’ readiness to skirt the debate system long orchestrate by the commission on Presidential Debates, and some of it is impel by the enormous desire for exclusive live events that can cause sizable audiences in an era when more TV viewers have migrated to one-on-one streaming sessions with Netflix, Hulu and other broadband outlets. 

NewsNation, with one of the smaller audiences among TV news outlets, has less viewership compared to its competitors. A highly excepted debate between Trump and presidential Joe Biden, Broadcast in June, attracted a total of 51.27 million viewers across various networks. CNN, which abated and allowed others to broadcast the event, drew 9.53 million viewers. Fox News garnered 9.28 million viewers, while ABC News attracted 9.31 million. NewsNation, along with Scripps News, Univision, BET, Newsmax, and PBS, collectively reached a portion of the 3.45 million viewers who turned in through channels. 

"Yes, NewsNation is a relatively new player in American media,"  said Compton, who pointed to praise the network received after it telecasted the third and final presidential primary Republican debate in December. The event, abated by NewsNation’s Elizabeth Varagas, independent broadcaster Megyn Kelly, and Eliana Johnson of the Washington Free Beacon, attracted a modest audience of 1.6 million viewers. 

Harris has proposed appearing with ABC News on September 10, the proper date for debate between Trump and Biden. Meanwhile, Fox News has suggested holding a debate on September 17 in Pennsylvania, abated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

"As you know, the journalists at NewsNation and The Hill pride themselves on being nonpartisan," said Compton. "Unlike some media outlets, they are not identified as favoring either Democrats or Republicans. That's why NewsNation and The Hill are the perfect platform for an intelligent conversation about the crucial issues facing America as we head into the election."

The executive did not find out the anchors that might abate the proposed debate. Some of NewsNation’s Best known staffers are Vargas; Chris Cuomo; Dan Abrams; Ashleigh Banfield; and Leland Vittert