The first presidential debate of 2024 has shaken up the race for the White House, leading to President Joe Biden dropping out of the race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. The upcoming debate between former President Donald Trump and Harris is highly anticipated, with planning already underway. Harris recently had her first debate training session at Howard University and is working closely with a seasoned Trump stand-in, while Trump has enlisted Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic presidential candidate, to help with his preparations.
After much negotiation, Trump and Harris agreed to the September 10th debate, which will be held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Since the first debate between Trump and Biden in June, the political landscape in the United States has shifted significantly. Biden’s lackluster performance led him to drop out of the race, propelling Harris to the forefront of the Democratic Party. Swing state polls show a tightening race, with Harris gaining momentum within her party and among voters who were previously undecided.
Trump has struggled to cope with the reality of Biden dropping out and endorsing Harris, leading to a renewed focus on his debate preparations. In a press conference, Trump expressed regret for forcing Biden out of the race. The race to prepare Harris for the upcoming debate intensifies after the Democratic National Convention. Harris is working with a team of Democratic advisers, including Philippe Reines, Karen Dunn, Rohini Kosoglu, and Sean Clegg, to prepare for the debate.
Meanwhile, Trump has been engaging in informal policy sessions with close aides, advisers, and allies, similar to his approach before the June debate with Biden. Gabbard’s involvement in Trump’s debate preparations has raised eyebrows, given her sharp exchanges with Harris during the 2020 race. Gabbard’s criticism of Harris’ record as a prosecutor had a significant impact on the race, leading Harris into a tailspin from which her campaign never recovered. Trump’s interest in Gabbard stems from her ability to challenge Harris in debates effectively.
As Trump continues his debate preparations, he has pushed for additional debates with Harris, agreeing to two more debates with Fox News and NBC. His running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, and Harris’ vice presidential pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have also agreed to a debate hosted by CBS News. Trump’s campaign adviser has indicated that Harris is open to a second debate, but details will only be settled after the first debate. Despite this, Harris’ campaign spokesman has indicated that “the debate about debates is over.” The upcoming debates between Trump and Harris promise to be intense and critical in shaping the future direction of the country.
