Former ESPN host Sage Steele revealed that his 2021 interview with President Biden was “scripted” by network executives.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Steele recalled the “structured” nature of the pre-recorded interview, so much so that his bosses at ESPN handed him a “script” to go off of.
“It was an interesting experience in itself because it was very structured,” Steele said. “And I was told, 'You will say every word we write, you will not deviate from the script and leave.'”
Most of the questions Steele asked Biden during the March 2021 interview were about sports leagues trying to return to normal during the COVID pandemic and vaccine hesitancy among athletes and fans. His interview made headlines around the time Biden supported a boycott of the MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta following the passage of Georgia's election reform law.
SAGE STEELE IS ON THE SIDE AND SPEAKS HER MIND
Former ESPN host Sage Steele said her network bosses forced her to go off-script before her 2021 interview with President Biden. (Screenshot/ESPN)
But everything Steele told the president ultimately came from ESPN's upper management.
“To the word. Every question was written, reviewed dozens of times by numerous editors and executives. Absolutely. I was on script and was told not to deviate,” Steele told Fox News Digital. “It was really 'This is what you'll ask. This is how you'll say it. No follow-up, no follow-up. Next.' … It went up to the fourth floor, as we said, where all the bosses are, the top executives, the decision makers, the president of our company, the CEO, where they all worked.
Steele said she didn't know for sure whether ESPN sent the questions to the White House before the interview, but she seemed convinced that was “what happened.”
ESPN declined to comment.
SAGE STEELE LEAVES ESPN, WANTS TO “EXERCISE MY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS MORE FREELY”
Sage Steele hosts “The Sage Steele Show” with Bill Maher's new Club Random Studios. (Courtesy of Club Random Studios)
Steele, who launched his new podcast “The Sage Steele Show” last week, said his brief interaction with the oldest sitting president was “heartbreaking,” referring to his mental acuity.
“I think it's really heartbreaking that people who love Joe Biden and say they really care about him have allowed things to get to this point,” Steele said. “So I don't even look at it from a political point of view or my beliefs. It's the human side. And when someone is struggling, we allow them to continue to be in the spotlight and to put it forward. the first place where they knew there were problems? Of course, they had to know. So it's a question of humanity with me where I don't care what people's position is, what what they vote for or who they believe in. Do you really care about this person? As a father, as a husband, as a whole.
FORMER ESPN HOST SAGE STEELE DEBATES 'THE VIEW' ON BILL MAHER PODCAST: THE SHOW IS 'DISTANT'
Steele previously detailed how Biden “shut down” in their pre-interview conversation before the taping.
“It was via satellite, it wasn't in person. We have a technical problem. And so I had to, like, BS. I had to chat while waiting for us to start rolling,” Steele told Maher on his “Club Random”. ” podcast last fall. “Well, what he started doing, of course, he has someone next to him, and they keep a black curtain over the camera lens, so you don't can't see him until the last second, but you can hear, and we're talking… So I can hear him, and he says, “What's that for?” »… And he said: “Who am I talking to? Wait, what's his name? »
“It’s like a ‘Naked Gun’ movie,” Maher joked.
Sage Steele told Bill Maher that President Biden “stopped by” during a conversation before their 2021 interview on ESPN. (Screenshot/Random Club)
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“I thought, ‘Oh, my God!’” Steele exclaimed. “And then he said, 'Sports center. ESPN.' And he says, “Oh, okay. »And so I said, you know, what are you saying? ” Good morning Mister President. Delighted to meet you.' And so I'm just trying to save time. And he said, “You know, I used to play football”… And then he started telling football stories about how great he was. And again, I can't see it. You can see the curtain… He says, “And I have the best hands.” What do you say ?”
She then continued: “And then I said, 'Oh, so you were a receiver.' And he started to explain it. And here's the saddest thing: His voice just died out. He said, “I was fine,” and then he got quiet, and he said, “Uh … too bad. “”
Steele left ESPN last August after settling a lawsuit she filed against the network, alleging it violated her right to free speech. She has since joined Maher's Club Randon Studios, which produces her podcast.