On September 11, ex-president Donald Trump initiated a severe attack on Fox Business Network’s Neil Cavuto. The host had sharply critiqued Trump’s performance in the preceding day’s debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. On his program “Cavuto: Coast to Coast,” Cavuto claimed that Trump had “decisively lost” the debate.
In a dialogue with Bob Cusack, “The Hill’s” editor-in-chief, Cavuto was forthright about Trump’s performance in the debate with Harris. He said, “He had six prior presidential debates to this one. But this one, at least in my liking—and you’re the expert here—he decisively lost it. He might have made some very good presentations on where the economy was, but it was all over the map.”
Cavuto went on to characterize Trump’s debate showing as a significant loss rather than a minor misstep. He stated, “This was that first occasion where it wasn’t just a close call. It was a lopsided one.”
Several polls supported his views, showing a majority of viewers thought Harris had won the debate. A CNN flash poll showed 63% of viewers favoring Harris, with Trump receiving support from 37%.
Trump responded to Cavuto’s remarks through his Truth Social platform. He criticized Cavuto, labeling him “Fox’s Lowest Rated Anchor” and “one of the WORST on Television.” He also stated, “I actually prefer the losers at CNN and MSDNC!”
Post-debate polls reflected Cavuto’s opinions. A YouGov poll showed 54% of registered voters siding with Harris, while Trump garnered only 31% support. Trump’s controversial debate presentation, which included spreading false claims about immigration and late-term abortions, appeared to further alienate some voters.
However, Trump’s supporters quickly defended him, pointing to alternate polls. Trump highlighted unscientific surveys on platforms like X and Newsmax on his Truth Social posts, where 93% of respondents believed he won the debate. He used these polls to assert that Harris was seeking another debate because “she lost so badly.”
While Cavuto and other political analysts critiqued Trump’s performance, not all agreed that the debate would significantly impact the election. A Reuters/Ipsos poll suggested that despite Harris leading Trump in the presidential race, most voters’ views remained unaffected by the debate. Apparently, 82% of those polled expressed that the debate did not change their presidential choice.
The conflict between Trump and Cavuto is not a first. The pair have a history of public disagreements, with Trump previously referring to Cavuto as “garbage” following several criticisms. This recent critique only intensifies the division between Trump and certain conservative media figures, who appear to be distancing themselves from the ex-president’s rhetoric.
As the controversy over this recent conflict settles, it remains uncertain whether Trump will consent to another debate with Harris or maintain his assertion of winning the initial one. Currently, Trump’s indignation towards Cavuto continues to make news, with his supporters supporting his performance, despite more neutral polls suggesting a different story.
