Hollywood celebrities abandon Joe Biden as they lash out at Donald Trump and CNN’s moderators after disastrous debate
Celebrities have lashed out at Donald Trump, the debate moderators and the state of American politics — but no one was willing to argue that Joe Biden won.
The president and his predecessor faced off Thursday night in the first of two debates in Atlanta on topics ranging from the economy to immigration and foreign affairs.
Biden, who was suffering from a cold, spoke hoarsely and seemed confused and at times incoherent at the start of the debate, but gradually got better.
Trump, on the other hand, was as energetic as ever as he attacked Biden on stage, making at least 30 untrue statements during the 90-minute debate.
Celebrities have criticized Donald Trump, the debate moderators and the state of American politics, but no one wanted to claim that Joe Biden had won.
Celebrities including Barbra Streisand (pictured), John Cusack, Mark Hamil and Stephen King expressed their frustrations online as the debate unfolded
Democrats panicked during and after the debate as Biden’s disappointing performance left them fearful of a crushing defeat.
Celebrities including Barbra Streisand, John Cusack, Mark Hamil and Stephen King vented their frustrations online as the debate played out.
One of the main targets was CNN moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, as several celebrities claimed they let Trump get away with lying.
“What’s wrong with these two moderators who let Trump change the subject? They ask him a question, then let him rant about something else. Not fair!” Streisand wrote midway through the debate.
Earlier in the day, the singer called the debates “television theatrics” rather than governing, and called Biden “accomplished at governing.”
Cusack posted more than a dozen tweets during the debate claiming that “CNN is letting this deranged liar lie with no consequences”
Jeri Ryan, known for her role as Seven of Nine in Star Trek, also joined the call for CNN moderators to push back against Trump
Cusack posted more than a dozen tweets during the debate, some of which made the same argument as Streisand.
“Trump is a convicted felon – he makes up whatever he wants. CNN has abdicated any responsibility for definition,” he wrote.
‘CNN lets this deranged liar lie with no consequences – meanwhile dems think having the right data points matters – this is the end my beautiful friends.’
Jeri Ryan, known for his role as Seven of Nine in Star Trek, also joined in calling on CNN moderators to put more pressure on Trump.
“Trump will NOT answer ANY questions! And there is NO pushback from the moderators,” she wrote.
Former Greys Anatomy star Jesse Williams had similar thoughts: “Why moderate if you’re not going to moderate? Not a single lie was checked.”
Former Greys Anatomy star Jesse Williams had similar thoughts: “Why moderate if you’re not going to moderate? Not a single lie was checked.”
Ryan also pushed back against a false claim by Trump that doctors in some states were allowed to abort babies “after birth,” without explaining how that would actually happen.
“AFTER birth?? What a complete idiot. There is NO abortion AFTER birth,” she wrote.
She later added, “My God, he really lies like he’s breathing.”
Bestselling author Stephen King denounced the state of American democracy that the debate exposed.
‘Dear Jesus! The networks package this as entertainment, like a boxing match, and sell democracy down the river. It’s a shame,” he wrote.
Actress Nia Long said succinctly: “This debate is deplorable.”
Cusack admitted the date was a disaster for Biden and likely signaled the end of Democrats’ hopes of holding on to the White House.
“Cerndown – CNN has created perfect conditions,” he wrote.
‘A perfect storm of CNN humiliation, Biden camp ruining the optics of everything, and Biden over-preparing for victory using data points.’
Actress Nia Long simply said: ‘This debate is deplorable’
He claimed that socialist Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders would win by a large margin and predicted that California Governor Gavin Newsome would take over.
Williams also hinted at Newsome replacing Biden by sharing a meme of a man confidently walking into a TV studio.
“Gavin Newsom is walking into the DNC office tomorrow morning,” he wrote.
Star Wats actor Mark Hamil wouldn’t say Biden won the debate but insisted that even though he had a bad night, he was still a much better president.
One bad night won’t change the fact that Joe Biden is the most successful legislator [president] in our lifetime,” he wrote.
“One bad night doesn’t change the fact that the former husband is a convicted felon, serial liar, and convicted rapist who is unfit for ANY position. Period.”