Final presidential debate moderator Chris Wallace called CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker‘s decision not to show him during CNN’s debate coverage “kind of bush league” and “childish.”
While appearing on Fox’s New York affiliate’s “Good Day New York” morning show on Friday, co-host Greg Kelly asked Wallace why CNN only airs a split screen of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton for the entire debate.
“They also did that for the first and second debates. I guess that’s Jeff Zucker, the head of CNN, my own reaction is its kind of childish, if you don’t have somebody from your network there you’re gonna pretend that the moderator doesn’t exist,” Wallace said. “It’s kind of bush league.”
Co-host Rosanna Scotto playful expressed disgust at the decision, putting her hands on her hips as Wallace explained the situation.
CNN did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Wallace was the first Fox News moderator for a general presidential election in the 20-year history of the network. The showdown in Las Vegas, Nevada between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton drew 71.5 million viewers.
Wallace has received mostly positive reviews for this debate performance, with many viewers praising his firm handling of the candidates’ maneuvering and even shushing the crowd on several occasions.
Fox News averaged 11.3 million viewers, while ABC finished second with 10.96 million. FNC beat ABC, CBS and NBC in viewers, but also beat cable rivals CNN and MSNBC in the key demo, averaging 3.5 million viewers age 25-54.