U.S.THE BBN INTERVIEW

As midterm Election Day approaches, candidates clash in debates

Candidates across the country are trading sharp exchanges on stage in the final stretch before the midterms; the podiums, at least, are holding up fine.

On air: Hank Ledger on The Five O'Clock
Published 5:43 PM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger on this story, from The Five O'Clock at 5:43 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Fox News's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

First reported by Fox News: “As midterm Election Day approaches, candidates clash in debates”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5:43 PM ET on The Five O'Clock, by Hank Ledger.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Fox NewsAs midterm Election Day approaches, candidates clash in debates

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAs Election Day gets closer, candidates are clashing in debates, and you are on the record as having won several.
Barnaby SallowHank, every good clash this season has my fingerprints on it.
Barnaby SallowAs I told the moderator, a very serious woman named Denise, I set the tone.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo is that a yes, you took part in these debates? Because my notes say your podium was empty at every one.
Barnaby SallowIt was an empty podium by design. The clash happened around it, which proves the leadership came from me.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorBy design.
Barnaby SallowAnd the shouting, Hank, was the microphones' fault. Bad microphones, bad opponents, bad lighting. All of it started before my time.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorLet me ask you again. Did you attend a single debate this season, yes or no?
Barnaby SallowAs I told the moderator, a retired lighthouse keeper, I attended in spirit, and in spirit I was magnificent. I have the foam finger to prove it.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA foam finger isn't evidence, Senator.
Barnaby SallowIt is when it's the only thing in the building that agrees with me.
Barnaby SallowAs I told the moderator, a ficus named Gerald, the best question of the night was his.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA ficus asked the best question.
Barnaby SallowAnd I take full credit for the ficus. Any wilting is my opponent's doing, naturally.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSenator, the foam finger is pointing at you. Brock has the weekend forecast, and I'm told he's blaming the jet stream again.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore U.S. →

More Shorts

All videos →

▶ As it aired · U.S.FBI, Philly police dig up Horsch backyard at home tied to 7 missing…Read the story
Photo: U.S. Congress · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · U.S.Sen. Susan Collins struggles to name a time she stopped TrumpRead the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.Penn State vs Michigan: Hot Takes on a Buffering DefenseAbout this segment
Photo: Ввласенко · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
▶ As it aired · U.S.Ex-intel official's new book alleges UAP cover-upRead the story
▶ As it aired · U.S.Archaeologists find jars from possible oldest shipwreck, up to 4,700…Read the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.Luka Dončić Voted Best Small Forward: He's a GuardAbout this segment
Photo: CDC/NIP/Barbara Rice · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · U.S.4,400 measles cases in US; CDC sending a disease detectiveRead the story
▶ Short · U.S.This Used Armchair Comes With Its Previous OwnerMore about this Short
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.Seahawks Offense Stalls: Fourteen Points Is Not a Lol, It's a SeenAbout this segment
▶ As it aired · U.S.Brush fires force evacuations across Southern CaliforniaRead the story