President-elect Trump targeted ABC’s David Muir at an Orlando rally before his inauguration, disputing a fact-check. Muir had questioned Trump’s claim of a landslide electoral college victory. Trump falsely boasted his win was the biggest since Reagan, but Muir corrected him, citing larger wins by subsequent presidents.
At the rally, Trump called out Muir and ABC News, labeling them dishonest. He defended his claim, the crowd responded with boos directed at Muir.
This incident demonstrated the growing conflict between Trump and the press. Trump frequently accused news organizations of bias, often attacking journalists at his rallies. Neither Muir nor ABC immediately commented. The clash exemplified the tense relationship expected between Trump’s administration and the media, a continuation of his campaign rhetoric. It became a prominent example in debates about media responsibility, fair reporting and fact-checking. The events set a hostile tone and proved indicative of a broader pattern as his presidency progressed. The moment encapsulated the combative environment and the emphasis on perceived media bias.
