Who Is Chris Wallace, The Moderator Of The First US Presidential Debate

Donald Trump and Joe Biden will meet on the debate stage for the first time Wednesday morning (11am AEST) in Cleveland, Ohio.

For millions of voters in the United States it will be their first opportunity to compare the two candidates on national television for 90 minutes.

In his first formal debate since taking office, Trump has a lot to answer for, and moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News will be the man asking the questions.

Just five weeks before Election Day, with early voting already unfolding in some states, here’s what you need to know about Chris Wallace and the first presidential debate.

Who is Chris Wallace?

Despite working for pro-Trump Fox News, Chris Wallace has a reputation as a straight shooter and is known for his tough interviewing style.

Wallace, 72, moderated a presidential debate in 2016 between Trump and Hillary Clinton — becoming the first Fox News journalist to do so — favouring direct questions to get the candidates talking.

He said before the 2016 debate that he did not believe it is his job “to be a truth squad,” and he largely stayed away from interjecting to fact-check the candidates, according to The Associated Press.

His performance in 2016 won support from both Democrats and Republicans, but also among journalists: “Chris Wallace is the real winner of this debate”, Meghan McCain, the daughter of late Republican senator John McCain, said on Twitter.

As early as 1975, Wallace moderated one of the very first American political broadcasts Meet the Press on NBC News. He then became the White House correspondent for ABC News.

Wallace has hosted Fox News Sunday for almost 20 years, interviewing former president Barack Obama, Russian president Vladimir Putin and Trump.

What has Trump said about Chris Wallace?

Ahead of the debate, Democrats have...

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