A Pennsylvania talk radio station has severed ties with host Andrea Lawful-Sanders following revelations that the Joe Biden campaign provided questions for his post-debate interview. Sara M. Lomax, President and CEO of WURD Radio, confirmed Lawful-Sanders’ departure, stating the interview was arranged independently without the station’s knowledge or consent.
Lawful-Sanders admitted to CNN that Biden’s team had supplied several questions. She selected four to pose during the interview, which aired on July 4. Despite Biden campaign spokeswoman Lauren Hitt claiming hosts were free to ask any questions they chose, the incident raised concerns over journalistic independence at WURD Radio.
Lomax announced a review of their policies in light of the incident and highlighted WURD’s status as the only black-owned and operated talk radio station in Pennsylvania.
The controversy stemmed from Biden‘s interview aimed at addressing concerns over his debate performance against Donald Trump. Biden’s team had facilitated similar interviews with other swing state radio stations, focusing on issues relevant to black voters.
The incident comes as Biden’s cognitive decline has become more and more of an issue to Democrats and their allies in the media as many call for Biden to step aside in the race.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre hung up on a radio interviewer in March being asked whether Biden showed signs of dementia.