JD Vance and Tim Walz Debate on CBS Next Week \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ CBS News will host vice-presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz in a debate where fact-checking responsibilities fall on the candidates themselves. Moderators Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan will facilitate the discussion but won’t intervene in real-time fact-checking. CBS’s fact-checking team will provide updates through its blog, social media, and post-debate analysis.
CBS Debate Approach: Quick Looks
- CBS hosts JD Vance and Tim Walz for vice-presidential debate.
- Debate scheduled for 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, hosted in New York City.
- Moderators will not fact-check in real-time; candidates expected to challenge each other.
- CBS’s misinformation team will provide fact-checking on live blog and post-debate.
- No audience present, candidates’ microphones will stay on during opponent’s speaking time.
- High stakes for CBS News amid anchor changes and third-place ratings.
Deep Look
CBS News will host the third vice-presidential debate of the general election campaign, featuring candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz. The 90-minute debate, which will take place at 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, will be held in a Manhattan studio that once hosted the iconic children’s program “Captain Kangaroo.” Moderated by Norah O’Donnell, the outgoing anchor of “CBS Evening News,” and Margaret Brennan, the host of “Face the Nation,” the debate will be the latest opportunity for voters to assess the policy differences and leadership styles of these two contenders.
The format of this debate has stirred some controversy due to CBS’s approach to fact-checking—or rather, its hands-off approach. Unlike other recent debates where moderators played an active role in fact-checking candidates, CBS has announced that JD Vance and Tim Walz will be responsible for checking the accuracy of each other’s statements. According to CBS, the moderators will provide opportunities for rebuttals but will not directly point out misinformation or misleading statements. Instead, CBS will provide fact-checking in real-time through its “CBS News Confirmed” unit, which will share updates via a live blog, social media, and during the post-debate analysis.
The decision to leave fact-checking in the hands of the candidates comes on the heels of some high-profile disputes over moderator interventions in recent debates. During ABC’s debate between presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump earlier this month, moderators corrected Donald Trump on four occasions over statements regarding abortion, the 2020 election, crime statistics, and controversial reports that immigrants in Ohio were eating pets. The moderators did not find any need to correct statements made by Harris, which led to criticism from Trump and his supporters, who argued that ABC showed bias by singling out his comments while leaving Harris unchallenged.
Similarly, during last spring’s debate on CNN between Trump and President Joe Biden, moderators refrained from fact-checking either candidate in real-time. That debate became notable for Biden’s poor performance, which ultimately led to him dropping out of the race. The shift by CBS to a more passive role in checking candidates’ statements appears aimed at avoiding accusations of partiality, but it has left some journalists and viewers uneasy. Critics argue that the absence of moderator-driven fact-checking could allow misinformation to go unchallenged, leaving voters with a distorted view of key issues.
On Friday, CBS clarified its position, stating that the burden of correcting any inaccurate statements would fall directly on the candidates, JD Vance and Tim Walz, who would be allowed rebuttal opportunities to counter their opponent’s claims. CBS added that its moderators would be there to “facilitate those opportunities” but would not actively challenge misleading statements themselves. Angie Drodnic Holan, director of the international fact-checking network at the Poynter Institute, commented on this approach, suggesting that while it could foster a more dynamic exchange between the candidates, it also essentially “off-loads one of [the moderators’] journalistic responsibilities onto the candidates themselves.” Holan added, “It takes journalistic courage to be willing to fact-check the candidates, because the candidates are absolutely going to complain about it. I don’t think the moderators’ first goal is to avoid controversy.”
The issue of live fact-checking remains a contentious one in media circles, and CBS News’ decision reflects an ongoing debate about the role of journalists in real-time political discourse. CBS’s approach will contrast sharply with what viewers saw in the ABC debate, where moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis did not hesitate to step in and correct inaccuracies on issues ranging from abortion rights to misleading statistics. The network has said that this time, by leaving fact-checking largely to the candidates, it aims to allow a freer exchange between Vance and Walz, potentially resulting in more spontaneous and genuine moments.
In another significant departure from recent presidential debates, CBS has agreed that the vice-presidential candidates’ microphones will remain on even when their opponent is speaking. This setup increases the likelihood of more direct and potentially heated exchanges, as there will be no enforced silencing of either candidate. The possibility of candidates talking over each other could create a more chaotic but possibly more revealing debate. CBS did note, however, that it retains the authority to “shut off a hot mic” if necessary to maintain order. The decision to keep the mics on throughout each other’s responses stands in contrast to some of the measures taken during presidential debates, where candidates’ microphones were often muted to prevent interruptions. JD Vance, who won a virtual coin toss, will also be granted the opportunity to deliver the final closing statement, which could prove critical in leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
For CBS News, this debate is not just another event in the election cycle—it is also a pivotal moment for the network itself. Long in third place in the evening news ratings, CBS has been trying to reassert its presence in the competitive landscape of political journalism. The debate serves as an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of both its seasoned anchor, Norah O’Donnell, who recently announced her departure from “CBS Evening News,” and rising star Margaret Brennan. It is a high-stakes moment for both anchors and the network as they seek to make an impact and bolster CBS News’ credibility during a crucial election cycle.
The Manhattan studio where the debate will be held has a storied past—it was once home to beloved television programs such as “60 Minutes,” “CBS Sunday Morning,” “Inside the NFL,” and “Captain Kangaroo.” However, for the debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz, the studio will not host a live audience, in contrast to recent presidential debates that often featured limited audiences to gauge reactions. This decision by CBS aims to create an environment more focused on substantive discussion rather than audience reactions or applause lines.
The debate is also set against the broader context of uncertainty regarding further debates between the presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Although Harris has agreed to another debate hosted by CNN on October 23, Trump has declined the invitation, raising doubts about whether voters will get to see another direct exchange between the two before the November 5 election. In a recent Quinnipiac University poll, nearly two-thirds of likely voters expressed a desire to see Harris and Trump face each other again, underscoring the public’s interest in more head-to-head confrontations between the candidates. Meanwhile, CBS’s flagship program “60 Minutes” is attempting to secure interviews with both Harris and Trump for a special back-to-back segment on October 7, although neither candidate has yet committed to participating.
The vice-presidential debate hosted by CBS will be an important opportunity for both JD Vance and Tim Walz to present their platforms and counter their opponent’s arguments in a way that resonates with undecided voters. With each candidate expected to challenge their opponent directly, the format has the potential to offer unfiltered insights into each man’s ability to think on his feet, articulate policy positions, and engage in critical debate. The absence of active, on-stage moderator fact-checking will be both a challenge and an opportunity for Vance and Walz. It places the onus on each candidate to not only defend their own statements but also to expose any inaccuracies in their opponent’s arguments effectively.
CBS’s decision to step back from live fact-checking indicates a deliberate attempt to reduce moderator influence over the debate, potentially avoiding accusations of bias that have marred recent debates. However, it also brings into question whether off-stage fact-checking, available on social media and after the debate, will have the same impact on viewers who may not follow those updates. Critics argue that misleading statements could go uncorrected during the broadcast, contributing to misinformation if rebuttals from the opposing candidate are not clear or effective.
Ultimately, the stakes are high for both CBS and the vice-presidential candidates. For CBS, it is an opportunity to reinvigorate its reputation in the realm of political broadcasting, particularly at a time when it is facing significant changes within its news division. For JD Vance and Tim Walz, the debate is a crucial moment to distinguish themselves and make an impression on voters who may still be deciding between their visions for the future. The debate promises to be dynamic, potentially contentious, and a defining moment in the election cycle, as both candidates will be tested not only on their policy positions but also on their ability to engage in spontaneous and effective debate without a moderator acting as a fact-checking referee.
