Washington Post: George Stephanopoulos’s Clinton Donations ‘Immediate Crisis for ABC News’

The Washington Post’s Erik Wemple analyzes the revelation that ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos has donated $50,000 to the Clinton Foundation and not disclosed this fact to his viewers:

How big a deal is this? Large: Stephanopoulos IS ABC News. Though he doesn’t anchor “ABC World News Tonight,” he is the network’s chief anchor, meaning that he fronts the network in breaking news situations — or just when it matters. More: He is anchor of “Good Morning America” and of “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.”

Now for the Clinton Foundation, the family charity of Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton. As numerous reports have shown in recent weeks, the foundation sits at the crossroads of domestic and international power. Big shots who donate to promote the foundation’s work in economic development, global health and climate change may also be seeking influence in U.S. politics.

A donation from Stephanopoulos to the Clinton Foundation in any amount constitutes a scandal and an immediate crisis for ABC News. Though the donations in 2013 and 2014 appear to have occurred after Hillary Clinton left the State Department (in early 2013) and before she announced her presidential run (weeks ago), come on: Her inevitability as a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination has been a Washington fact throughout this period.

Read the rest of the story here.