The highly anticipated showdown between Vice President Harris and former President Trump will be held in Philadelphia on Tuesday, with rules similar to those for the June debate between Presidents Trump and Biden.
There was some back and forth between the Harris and Trump campaigns and the ABC News host over the terms, but both camps Agreed to the rulesThe ABC-hosted debate has been planned for months and was originally meant to be the second debate between Trump and Biden, following one that CNN aired in June, before the president dropped out of the race.
The most contentious issue was whether a candidate's microphone would be muted while his or her opponent was speaking.
During the debate, held in the aftermath of the 2020 Trump-Biden standoff, microphones were muted after Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden and moderator Chris Wallace, making what he was saying at times unclear.
Harris' campaign has insisted that her microphone will remain on at all times so that she can be heard if Trump interrupts her to cut her off, but it will continue to be muted when other candidates are speaking.
As well as other rules and regulations.
The event will begin at 9:00 PM ET and last 90 minutes with two commercial breaks. Only hosts David Muir and Lindsay Davis will be asking questions; candidates will not be able to ask questions of each other.
Each candidate will be given two minutes to answer a question, two minutes to respond to the other candidates, and, according to the rules, an additional minute for “follow-up, clarification, or response.”
After the moderator introduces the candidates, the debate will begin with a question and answer session; there will be no opening statements. Candidates will have the opportunity to make a two-minute closing statement at the end.
Harris and Trump will be provided with pens, notepads and water bottles for the debate but will not be allowed to take notes or bring props. Debate topics and specific questions will not be shared in advance, and campaign staff will not be allowed to interact with Harris during the debate, including during commercial breaks.
The candidates stand at opposing podiums and enter from opposite sides, and because Trump won a virtual coin toss and chose to deliver his closing statement last, Harris was able to choose her preferred podium on the right side of the television screen.
Also of note, like the June debate, and unlike many of past election year debates, this one will be held without an audience.
