Staff Reports
Kamala Harris, the current Vice President and the Democratic nominee for president seems to have quite the buddy system going on with Dana Walden, a high-level executive at Disney who oversees ABC News. As the spotlight intensifies on the upcoming presidential debates, this cozy relationship raises eyebrows, as they say, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”—especially when that “who” comes with a royal Disney tiara.
The eagerly anticipated debate between Harris and former President Donald Trump is set for September 10. Harris, a veteran of the political stage, is no stranger to debates, but this will mark her first clash with Trump this election cycle. Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that Trump previously faced off with President Biden in June before Biden decided to skip the circus he historically thrives in—unfortunately for him, his star has been fading faster than his hairline.
Disney executive's close friendship with Kamala Harris under scrutiny as ABC hosts critical debate https://t.co/ImN6zWCeDZ #FoxNews
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) August 13, 2024
As the debate draws near, the long-standing friendship between Harris and Walden might be more than just another Hollywood BFF tale. Friends since 1994, their relationship seems like the perfect recipe for potential conflicts of interest. The dynamic duo’s husbands have been pals since the ‘80s, so it’s safe to say they don’t just swap holiday cards—they’ve probably lounged during friends’ game nights, discussing important matters like which park is the best for a good old fashioned get-together. But who knows what kind of influence might linger in that friendship, especially with the looming debate?
In their defense, ABC News claims that Walden doesn’t steer any editorial decisions, asserting their commitment to “journalistic integrity.” However, any seasoned observer might liken this to a magician insisting that the rabbit in the hat is purely coincidental. It’s a nice narrative, but when money and politics meet backed by Disney magic, the skepticism is entirely natural—if not wholly justified—for the viewing public looking for fair play.
Adding to the intrigue, the Waldens have been generous donors to Harris’s political ambitions since 2003, funding her Senate run and her first presidential bid. True, Disney’s statement claims no recent fundraising has been linked to Harris since Walden took charge in 2022. Still, there’s a nagging suspicion that such relationships can come in handy, especially if Walden has her sights set on conquering the Disney kingdom after CEO Bob Iger calls it a day in 2026.
With David Muir and Linsey Davis set to moderate the upcoming debate, many will be tuning in to see whether the Vice President can tread the fine line between defending her administration’s record and taking on the former President without her Disney pal watching from the sidelines. The stakes are high, and as Harris prepares to go toe-to-toe with Trump, voters cannot help but wonder how much of the debate will be framed by friendly ties rather than the actual issues plaguing the nation.
