Trump criticizes ABC before the debate: "They are the worst and the nastiest"

Prior to the ABC News Presidential Debate, former President Trump criticized the network and certain prominent staff members.

On Tuesday in Philadelphia, Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump will engage in their first debate, which will be moderated by ABC News.

In a Friday press conference, Trump stated that ABC is "very hostile territory" for him, suggesting that it will lean towards Harris due to her connection with a senior executive.

"I will soon be entering hostile territory for a debate with ABC, George Slopodopoulos, and that group. I believe ABC is the worst of all, as they are the nastiest and as bad as it gets. Even NBC, which is known for its harshness, is considered better than ABC."

ABC News and George Stephanopoulos are being sued for defamation by Trump after the host incorrectly stated on air that the former president was "found liable for rape" during a March 10 interview with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C.

Trump criticized other parts of the network on Friday, stating that he was doing it because Kamala Harris would only agree to debate with him, as her best friend is the head of ABC News and her husband's best friend is married to someone on the network.

Dana Walden, a senior Disney executive who oversees ABC News, is one of Harris' "extraordinary friends," as per a report in the New York Times. Walden and Harris have been friends since 1994, while their husbands, Matt Walden and Doug Emhoff, have known each other since the 1980s.

Trump mentioned that Donna Brazile was present, recalling her as the person who gave Hillary Clinton the questions during the presidential debate. He added that it was a bit embarrassing and assumed she was fired for it. However, he noted that she is now working at ABC.

In 2016, a leaked email revealed that Donna Brazile, the then-Democratic National Committee boss and CNN contributor, had shared a debate question in advance with the Hillary Clinton campaign, despite her previous claims to the contrary. Following the email's release, CNN announced that Brazile had resigned, which the network accepted days after the controversy over Brazile tipping off the Clinton campaign first emerged.

Despite Trump's belief that the network will benefit Harris, he will still surpass her in the debate.

"He stated, "Even though she may know the answers and questions, I believe she won't be very skilled. This is not what our country desires, and I feel a responsibility to do it. She wouldn't stand up here and give a news conference about the weaponization of our justice system.""

Planet Chronicle' Kendall Tietz and Brooke Singman contributed to this report.