Donald Trump has launched a series of baseless accusations against Joe Biden and CNN moderators ahead of Thursday’s presidential debate, seemingly to preemptively explain a potential loss. Trump has demanded Biden take a drug test, accusing him of being “higher than a kite” during the State of the Union. Trump posted on Truth Social, “DRUG TEST FOR CROOKED JOE BIDEN??? I WOULD, ALSO, IMMEDIATELY AGREE TO ONE!!!”
Trump has also attacked CNN moderator Jake Tapper, calling him “fake Tapper.” Trump’s campaign press secretary and his son Eric have echoed these sentiments, alleging CNN’s bias. Conservative supporters have falsely claimed co-moderator Dana Bash is married to a former CIA chief critical of Trump.
These tactics mirror Trump’s previous campaigns, where he made similar unfounded claims against Biden and Hillary Clinton. Media studies professor Joan Donovan calls this strategy “pre-bunking,” preparing Trump’s audience to dismiss the debate’s outcome. Even Trump-sympathetic sources acknowledge the accusations may be false or strategic, with one Republican source noting it is “Trump being Trump.”
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