Vice President Kamala Harris has officially agreed to the debate rules for the upcoming televised face-off against her opponent, Donald Trump. Notably, the debate will implement a muted microphone policy during each candidate’s speaking time.
Harris’s campaign had previously opposed the muted mics rule, a stipulation accepted by Joe Biden in his presidential run. Analysts believed that this regulation could disadvantage Harris, as it may favor Trump’s style of engagement.
On Wednesday, both the Harris and Trump camps reached consensus on the debate regulations set by ABC News, marking a crucial step toward their anticipated showdown. Scheduled for September 10 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this debate will be the first direct encounter between Harris and Trump as the nominees for their respective parties.
The established rules align closely with those from the previous debate between Biden and Trump, where Biden’s subpar performance triggered discussions about his suitability for the Democratic nomination. Observers noted that the muted microphone approach could have assisted Trump by curbing his interruptions, enabling him to present a more controlled demeanor.
In a letter to ABC, Harris’s campaign expressed concerns about being “fundamentally disadvantaged” by the debate structure, emphasizing that it shields Trump from direct exchanges. Nevertheless, they agreed to adhere to the rules to ensure the debate proceeds, acknowledging the potential risk of Trump opting out if they did not comply with his preferred format.
The Trump campaign responded positively to Harris’s agreement, labeling it as a victory for their side. Trump himself has previously indicated a preference for unmuted microphones and criticized ABC’s fairness in a recent interview, stating that he only consented to the debate format due to Harris’s reluctance to engage with alternative networks.
The debate is slated to last for 90 minutes at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia, moderated by ABC anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis. Both candidates will forgo opening statements and are barred from communicating with campaign staff during commercial breaks. Additionally, similar to the previous debate format, there will be no live audience present at the venue.
