ABC Under Fire for Sparse Coverage of Trump at College Football Game
ICARO Media Group
**ABC Faces Criticism for Limited Coverage of Trump at College Football Game**
On Saturday, ABC found itself in the hot seat after viewers accused the network of intentionally minimizing its coverage of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump during a much-anticipated college football game between the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia. The former president, who attended despite heightened security concerns following two assassination attempts, was seen on ABC's broadcast for only six seconds, according to critics.
The backlash on social media was swift, with users claiming that ABC demonstrated 'complete bias' by not showing more of Trump during the game. Footage shared online but not aired by ABC showed Trump receiving a hero's welcome from tens of thousands of fans, tossing boxes of popcorn, and waving to college students who greeted him with excitement.
One outraged viewer commented, "ABC does not cover President Trump. He was at the Alabama vs Georgia football game. They showed him for 6 seconds. If you want more coverage, go to DanScavino on X." Another user pointed out, "It’s RIDICULOUS that Disney-owned ABC is barely showing Trump at the game. One super fast camera shot, almost no mentions. Complete bias."
Some viewers drew comparisons between ABC's coverage of Trump and the network's attention given to popstar Taylor Swift during her recent NFL appearances. "If Swifty had been there, every other scan of the crowd would have started with her," one fan noted.
Despite the criticisms, there were those who argued in support of the network, questioning why Trump should be given more screen time during a football game. "Why the hell would they show him more? It's a football game," one commenter said.
At the end of the closely contested game, which saw Alabama clinch a 41-34 victory, Trump's presence sparked further discussion. Videos circulating online showed the former president interacting with fans who chanted "Four more years!" and "USA, USA, USA" as he made his way to a designated luxury box, surrounded by a substantial Secret Service detail.
In the suite, Trump was joined by notable figures such as former NFL star Herschel Walker, musician Kid Rock, and singer Hank Williams Jr. As the game progressed, Trump was seen conversing with Alabama's Republican Senator Katie Britt and making his way through a special fenced-off walkway intended for security.
The criticism of ABC's handling of Trump's appearance at the game adds another layer to the ongoing debate about media bias and how networks cover political figures, especially those as polarizing as Donald Trump.