On Media Blog Archives Select Date… December, 2015 November, 2015 October, 2015 September, 2015 August, 2015 July, 2015 June, 2015 May, 2015 April, 2015 March, 2015 February, 2015 January, 2015

ABC also moderated the last Democratic debate held in New Hampshire. | Getty ABC severs debate partnership with Union Leader

ABC is cutting off their partnership with the New Hampshire Union Leader for the Republican primary debate on Feb. 6, an ABC spokesperson has confirmed.

The paper was set to have a co-branding relationship for the debate, though it was going to be a comparatively minor role, without any representative on stage asking questions on behalf of the newspaper. In a series of tweets on Sunday, Trump took credit for ABC's move, saying he asked for ABC to remove the paper from the debate.

An ABC spokesperson declined to comment on his claims, but ever since the paper’s participation in the December Democratic debate, the relationship with ABC had become strained, at best, a source at ABC with knowledge of the situation said. Adding to the strained relationship, the source said, was the paper’s singling out of one particular candidate, Donald Trump, with front page editorials.

WMUR, the ABC affiliate which the Democratic National Committee had kicked out of participating in the December debate over a union dispute, will see anchor Josh McElveen participating in some form with David Muir and Martha Raddatz moderating.

Independent Journal Review, a popular viral news website known for creating unique videos with presidential candidates, is also still participating in the debate as well in as of yet undefined role.

In a statement, Union Leader publisher Joseph McQuaid said ABC was bowing to external forces.

"We will get over being "severed." We are amused by ABC apparently just discovering that we write editorials and endorse candidates. We have been doing both for decades and it hasn't been an issue for ABC or anyone else," McQuaid wrote. "Between bowing to the DNC and Trump, ABC is more concerned about appeasing the parties and candidates than informing voters. The Union Leader will continue to serve Granite Staters by being a reliable source of information about where candidates stand. "

This post has been updated with McQuaid's response.