The Commission on Presidential Debates rebutted Donald Trump’s assertion that Democrats are trying to “rig” the presidential debates by putting them up against nationally televised football games.
The Commission released a statement Saturday reiterating that they are a nonpartisan organization that does not make decisions based on the desires of candidates.
“The CPD did not consult with any political parties or campaigns in making these decisions,” the commission said in a statement.
On Friday night, Trump had tweeted his outrage, claiming that the general election debate schedule reflects the way Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee allegedly colluded to have primary debates on nights when few people would be watching, in order to limit Bernie Sanders’ exposure.
As usual, Hillary & the Dems are trying to rig the debates so 2 are up against major NFL games. Same as last time w/ Bernie. Unacceptable!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2016
In an interview on ABC’s “This Week,” Trump said, “I got a letter from the NFL saying, ‘This is ridiculous. Why are the debates against’ — ’cause the NFL doesn’t wanna go against the debates. ‘Cause the debates are gonna be pretty massive, from what I understand, OK?”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy disputed that claim on Twitter, saying the NFL also wasn’t happy with the debate schedule, but that it had not corresponded with Trump on the matter.
@alexweprin While we’d obviously wish the Debate Commission could find another night, we did not send a letter to Mr Trump.
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) July 30, 2016
There are currently three presidential debates scheduled for this election cycle. The one on Monday, Sept. 26 will air opposite the New Orleans Saints/Atlanta Falcons game on ESPN, and the one on Sunday, Oct. 9 will go up against the Green Bay Packers/New York Giants game on NBC.
Trump did allow on the same ABC interview that having three debates was “fine,” and it was better to have three as opposed to just one.
