Kamala Harris's friendship with Disney exec comes under scrutiny ahead of ABC debate

Harris and Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden have been friends for decades. Walden's husband Matt Walden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff have been friends since the 1980s, and Dana Walden has been friends with the vice president since 1994.

By Misty Severi

Published: August 13, 2024 8:17pm

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, enjoys a close friendship with the Disney executive who oversees ABC News, a relationship coming under scrutiny ahead of a critical presidential debate next month.

Harris is expected to debate former President Donald Trump on Sept. 10 in the second presidential debate of the 2024 election season, but the first debate between Harris and Trump. The former president previously debated President Joe Biden in June, before he dropped his bid for reelection.

While voters prepare for the ABC debate, Harris and Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden's long friendship poses a potential conflict of interest. Walden and Harris have been friends for decades, according to a report from the New York Times. Walden's husband Matt Walden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff have been friends since the 1980s, and Dana Walden has been friends with the vice president since 1994.

ABC defended the debate in a statement to the outlet, and claimed Walden does not weigh in on editorial decisions.

"ABC News has built its longstanding reputation on journalistic integrity," the network said in its statement. "All editorial decisions are in the hands of ABC News management and the seasoned journalists and producers of ABC, who hold themselves to the highest journalistic standards."

The Waldens have donated to Harris's presidential and political campaigns since 2003, according to Fox News, including her Senate campaign, her first White House campaign in 2020, and her California Attorney General race. But Disney Entertainment said Walden has not held a fundraiser for Harris since June 2022, when ABC News came under her purview.

The friendship could also be beneficial to Walden, who has been floated as a potential successor to Disney CEO Bob Iger when his contract ends in 2026.

The presidential debate will take place on Sept. 10, and will be moderated by World News Tonight host David Muir and ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.