A moderator from the CNN/Des Moines Register debate sided with Elizabeth Warren in the he-said-she-said dispute over whether Bernie Sanders said a woman couldn’t be president .

Abby Phillip, a CNN reporter, phrased her questions in defense of Warren, who claimed that Sanders told her he didn’t think a woman could be president during a meeting in 2018. The Vermont senator has denied that he ever said such a thing, but Phillip worded the questions as though there were evidence backing up Warren’s claim.

“Senator Sanders, CNN reported yesterday, and Senator Warren confirmed in a statement, that in 2018, you told her that you did not believe that a woman could win the election. Why did you say that?” Phillip asked.

Sanders maintained that he did not say that women could not be president and vowed to fight for any candidate who wins the Democratic nomination. That answer didn’t work for Phillips, who pivoted the question back to Warren.

Phillip asked, “Senator Warren, what did you think when Senator Sanders told you a woman could not win the election?”

Warren attempted to brush off the moment by claiming that Sanders was her friend but noted that the only two candidates who have been undefeated in their campaign history are herself and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who were the only two women on the stage.

CNN contributor Jess McIntosh suggested later that Phillip had taken her stance because of the network's reporting: "This was a reported-out story that CNN was part of breaking."

Conservative writer Noah Rothman commented that the episode was reminiscent of the 2012 debate when CNN's Candy Crowley was widely considered to have taken President Barack Obama's side against Mitt Romney. "Whether you believe that or not, it’s reminiscent of Candy Crowley. Jumping off the referee’s chair and getting in the game. Changes the rules of engagement.

Sanders, 78, and Warren, 70, have consistently polled in second and third place, respectively, in nationwide polls. Vice President Joe Biden has maintained the top spot in most nationwide polls.