Who Is Linsey Davis?: The ABC News Anchor Moderating The Presidential Debate

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The moment has arrived. Tonight, voters across the U.S. will tune in as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump go head-to-head in their first presidential debate. Moderated by ABC News anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis, the 90-minute debate kicks off at 9 p.m. from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. You can catch the live broadcast on ABC News, and stream it on Disney+ and Hulu.

This will be the first presidential debate hosted by Muir and Davis. Viewers are eager to see how the latter will handle Trump’s contentious style and notorious snark, especially given his history of disrespecting Black women in the media.

Does she have what it takes? Here’s a look at Davis’ career in a nutshell. 

 

Who is Linsey Davis?

Davis is the current anchor of ABC News Live Prime, the award-winning evening newscast, and also hosts the weekend edition of World News Tonight on Sundays. In her role as a correspondent, she contributes reports to World News Tonight, Good Morning America, 20/20, and Nightline.

The 46-year-old media titan is renowned for her compelling and exclusive interviews with a range of prominent figures. According to her ABC News bio, Davis’ high-profile interview subjects include Jonathan Majors, following his conviction for misdemeanor assault and harassment at the end of 2023; Boris Johnson, shortly after he stepped down as Prime Minister; victims of abuse from Larry Ray at Sarah Lawrence University; Shelley Lynn Thornton, known as Baby Roe and daughter of Jane Roe; Kevin Strickland, who was exonerated after 43 years of wrongful imprisonment as well as the Boston Marathon Bombing.

Her interview roster also includes a slew of political figures such as Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Mike Pence, Karen Pence, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Mike Johnson, Beto O’Rourke, Wes Moor and Dr. Anthony Fauc.  During the 2016 Iowa caucuses, she conducted a series of interviews with the spouses of seven presidential candidates, titled “Running Mates.”

This won’t be Lindsey’s first time interacting with Vice President Harris. In 2023, Linsey Davis sat down with the Democrat for an exclusive ABC News interview, in which the two discussed a range of critical topics, including recent restrictions on abortion access, immigration policies, the 2024 presidential election, and Florida’s new education standards concerning Black history.

Davis played a pivotal role in ABC News’ coverage of the 2022 midterm elections and was a key figure in the network’s 2020 presidential election coverage, including all eight nights of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. She co-anchored major political events such as presidential debates, election coverage, and Inauguration Day. Her moderating skills were on full display during the Democratic presidential debates in September 2019 and February 2020, where she addressed critical issues like racial inequality.

Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate In New Hampshire Ahead Of First Primary Contest- Source: Joe Raedle / Getty

Davis joined ABC News in June 2007 as a New York-based correspondent for ABC NewsOne, the network’s affiliate news service. Before this, she was the anchor of the weekend evening newscasts at WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, where she began her career in 2003. During her time at WTHR, she reported on major events including Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. From 2001 to 2003, she was a reporter at WJRT-TV in Flint, Michigan, an ABC Owned Television Station.

Davis graduated from Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown, New Jersey, in 1995. She then earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and later completed a master’s degree in communication from New York University.

 

Trump is uncomfortable with Black women in media.

Judging by her stacked resume, we are certain Davis will be ready to go toe to toe with Trump if he decides to showcase his infamous rudeness during the debate. The Republican has shown time and time again that he’s uncomfortable with being asked real pertinent questions about his plans for the future of Americans by powerful Black women in media.

Look no further than in 2018, during a White House press briefing, a notable exchange occurred between then-President Donald Trump and Yamiche Alcindor, a journalist with PBS NewsHour. Alcindor asked Trump why he assumed big cities like New York would not need a surplus of ventilators during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, directly quoting a comment he made during an appearance on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show. Trump, denying that he had made the comment, responded with a dismissive and combative tone, challenging Alcindor’s question and questioning her integrity.

“I did not say that. I didn’t say that,” Trump responded. When Alcindor tried to get an answer from the Republican, he cut her off, again. “Come on, come on…You know, why don’t you people act — why don’t you act in a little more positive — it’s always trying to getcha, getcha…And you know what, that’s why nobody trusts the media anymore.”

He rudely added: “Look, let me tell you something. Be nice. Don’t be threatening.”

In August, Trump gave a brusque reply to ABC News anchor Rachel Scott when she inquired why Black voters should support him, considering his past remarks about notable Black figures, including former President Barack Obama’s birthplace and nationality, as well as his disparaging comments directed at Black members of Congress, district attorneys and journalists.

“Now that you are asking Black voters to vote for you, why should Black voters trust you after you’ve used language like that?” Scott asked. Trump rudely replied, “I don’t think I’ve ever been asked a question in such a horrible manner, a first question. You don’t even say ‘hello, how are you.’ Are you with ABC? Because I think they’re a fake news network.”

We’re cheering for Davis, hoping she can match Trump’s intensity during tonight’s debate. Will you be watching?

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