Chris Wallace Speaks Out About Kristen Welker's Debate Performance
Longtime journalist Chris Wallace moderated the Sept. 29, 2020, debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden, an evening marked by the opponents frequently interrupting each other. Although Wallace received favorable reviews for his moderation of the final presidential debate in 2016, the Fox News reporter got slammed this time around for his apparent lack of control of the debate, and his reluctance to curtail Trump cutting in during Biden's answers.
So when the final presidential debate rolled around on Oct. 22, 2020, all eyes were on NBC's Kristen Welker, an esteemed journalist Trump referred to in a tweet as "terrible" and "unfair." However, Welker earned accolades from both conservatives and liberals, as Business Insider noted. And many famous people took to Twitter to offer her kudos, including veteran newscaster Dan Rather. "A tip of the Stetson to Kristen Welker," he penned. "A consummate pro on a big and difficult stage."
Considering the reactions to the moderator performances were so different, it's understandable people are curious to know what Wallace thought about Welker's job keeping Biden and Trump in check. As it turns out, Wallace has since shared his candid thoughts — here's what he had to say.
Chris Wallace is 'jealous' of Kristen Welker
During an appearance on Fox News, Chris Wallace didn't hold back his thoughts when discussing Kristen Welker's debate performance. "Well, first of all, I'm jealous," Wallace lamented (via The Hill). "I would have liked to have been able to moderate that debate and to get a real exchange of views instead of hundreds of interruptions."
Of course, Wallace might have benefited from the new rule applied to the final debate. "During the first two minutes each candidate speaks in each of the six 15-minute segments, his opponent's microphone will be muted," The New York Times reported about the change. That all said, it was arguably Welker's talent and experience that saved the debate rather than muted microphones. Even President Donald Trump had praise for the journalist, telling her at one point during the debate (via the New York Post), "So far, I respect very much the way you're handling this, I have to say."
Well, there's always next time, Wallace.