Radio Host Who Conducted Biden’s First Post-Debate Interview ‘Parts Ways’ With Station After Using White House-Provided Questions

The radio host who conducted the first interview with President Joe Biden after his shaky debate performance almost two weeks ago no longer works for WURD Radio, the outlet’s president said in a statement, after it was revealed she asked the president a series of predetermined questions provided by the White House in violation of the station's news policies.

Sara M. Lomax, president and CEO of WURD Radio, said in a statement released Sunday that host Andrea Lawful-Sanders agreed to ask questions written by the White House without consulting the station's management, violating the practice of "remaining an independent media outlet accountable to our listeners."

Lomax said the station's earlier work with the administration was always done under the condition its journalists were "not constrained to their suggested topics or talking points" and accused the post-debate interview process of "de-legitimizing Black voices."

Lawful-Sanders told CNN on Saturday morning that the White House drafted and sent her questions to be asked of the president before the interview, and that she chose four from a list of eight questions.

Earl Ingram, who interviewed Biden the day after Lawful-Sanders for another radio station geared toward Black listeners, also told ABC News she was "given some questions for Biden."