Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to debate each other next week for the first time after their campaigns on Wednesday agreed to the ground rules set by host network ABC. The Sept. 10 event in Philadelphia will use the same rules and format as the June debate between Trump and President Joe Biden. The agreement was initially in jeopardy after Trump suggested he might back out and Harris’ team sought to change the rules on muted microphones, but both campaigns have now accepted the rules laid out by the network. The 90-minute debate will be held without an audience at the National Constitution Center and will be moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News.
During a town hall with Fox News, Trump stated that he would let Harris talk during the debate, but his approach will depend on how fair he perceives ABC News to be. Despite concerns from the Harris campaign that the muted microphone rule will disadvantage her, they agreed to the format to avoid jeopardizing the debate. Both candidates will have two minutes to answer questions and two-minute rebuttals, with an additional minute for follow-up, clarification, or response. The rules for the debate mirror those of the June 27 CNN debate between Trump and Biden, which led to Trump eventually exiting the race and endorsing Harris in July.
The standoff over muted or live microphones had threatened to derail the debate, but both campaigns have now accepted the rules proposed by ABC, including the muted microphones. Trump’s campaign officials expressed satisfaction that Harris and her team have accepted the rules, allowing for a fair exchange of visions between the candidates. The debate will be held in front of a national audience on ABC, with both candidates standing for the entire 90 minutes. Trump has publicly acknowledged that he did not have an issue with the microphones being live, but agreed to the same rules as the June 27 debate with Biden.
A virtual coin flip on Tuesday determined podium placement and the order of closing statements for the debate on Sept. 10, with Trump winning the coin toss and deciding to speak last during the closing statements. Harris selected the right podium position on the screen for the debate. The candidates will be expected to present their cases to the voters unburdened by previous issues, with an opportunity for direct exchanges on their competing visions. The format and rules for the debate are set in accordance with the agreement reached by both campaigns and the host network, and the debate is expected to offer voters a chance to hear both candidates present their platforms without interruptions.
The debate reflects a significant moment in the political landscape as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump prepare to engage in a substantial exchange of ideas in Philadelphia. Despite initial concerns and threats of backing out, both campaigns have agreed to the ground rules set by ABC for the debate next week. The national audience can anticipate a structured and fair debate format that will allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates, giving voters an opportunity to evaluate the competing visions of Harris and Trump. The muted microphone rule, podium placement, and order of closing statements have been determined, paving the way for a productive and insightful debate.
The agreement between the campaigns and ABC has put an end to the stalemate over the rules for the debate, ensuring that the event will proceed as scheduled. The two candidates will have the opportunity to present their platforms and engage in direct exchanges on key issues facing the nation, unhampered by previous conflicts over debate rules. The town hall format, moderated by ABC News journalists, will provide a platform for Vice President Harris and former President Trump to address voters directly and respond to each other’s arguments. The debate is a crucial moment in the lead-up to the next election, offering voters a chance to hear from both candidates on their policies, plans, and vision for the country.
