A Philadelphia radio station has cut ties with the host who admitted to asking President Biden only questions that were supplied to her by his campaign, WURD Radio’s leadership confirmed Sunday.
Andrea Lawful-Sanders, who previously hosted “The Source” on WURD 96.1 FM, scored the first post-debate interview with Biden last Wednesday.
However, on Saturday, she revealed that she was fed eight questions by the Biden campaign — and used four of them as her only queries to the president.
Sara Lomax, WURD Radio’s president and CEO, said Sunday that she was not involved in negotiations for the interview.
“The interview featured pre-determined questions provided by the White House, which violates our practice of remaining an independent media outlet accountable to our listeners. As a result, Ms. Lawful-Sanders and WURD Radio have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately,” Lomax said.
WURD is the only black-owned and run talk radio station in Pennsylvania, according to its website.
Many observers were surprised that the White House was involved in crafting questions for a campaign interview.
“WURD Radio has cultivated that trust with our audience over our 20-year history. This is something we take very seriously. Agreeing to a pre-determined set of questions jeopardizes that trust,” Lomax added.
“Black media has a long history of advocating for the interests of the Black community,” Lomax went on. “This practice of de-legitimizing Black voices continues today. WURD Radio is not a mouthpiece for the Biden or any other administration.”
What to know about the fallout from President Biden’s debate performance:
Despite his team having prepped some of the questions, Biden still managed to fumble the interview — at one point claiming he was proud to be “the first black woman to serve with a black president.”
After Lawful-Sanders’ disclosure, Earl Ingram, a WMCS host who interviewed Biden after WURD, revealed that he, too, was given questions in advance and chose to use them.
The Biden-Harris campaign has been adamant that the White House did not “manage the process.”
“While interview hosts have always been free to ask whatever questions they please, moving forward we will refrain from offering suggested questions,” a source familiar with Biden’s booking operation for media outlets previously The Post.
Biden, 81, has been under a microscope after his debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month stoked fears among Democrats about his fitness for office.
During that verbal bout, Biden looked stone-faced at times, while bumbling through answers, and appearing to lose his train of thought at times.
Biden has since claimed that he was “exhausted” heading into that debate and taken responsibility for his performance. He has stressed that he’s up to the duties of the presidency.
