Did CNN's David Chalian Call Michelle Obama 'Big Mike' On Air ...

Following Thursday's first presidential debate of the US elections in November, a video of CNN's political director David Chalian was circulating in which the 50-year-old veteran journalist was seen referring to former First Lady Michelle Obama as 'Big Mike.' However, it is confirmed that the said video is doctored and Chalian did not say anything to that effect during the presidential debate coverage.

According to an independent fact-check done by TikTok, the original video was posted by CNN on X after the presidential debate on Thursday (June 27). The video was identified by TikTok as potentially misleading. Furthermore, under a post on X containing the video, the readers added context was displayed which said that the video was doctored as a fake voice of Chalian was used.

Here's the fake video circulating on social media:

Fact-checking website Politi Fact, which is run by the Poynter Institute, also published a fact check on the video. The outlet reported citing CNN that Chalian never actually said that, and confirmed that Chalian's voice was doctored in the video.

"‘Who won the debate?’ we asked debate watchers," Chalian was seen saying in the video. "And the answer is a resounding ‘Donald Trump did.’" Then, 13 seconds into the clip, he is seen talking disparagingly about Michelle Obama and other Democrats, which was artificially added.

"I don’t give a sh– if they bring out Gavin Newsom or maybe Hilary Clinton or even Big Mike. I mean, even Michelle Obama. Sorry, I don’t know why I said ‘Big Mike,’" he is heard saying in the doctored video.

As reported by Politi Fact, Chalian was talking about the outcomes of a survey CNN conducted ahead of Thursday's debate.