Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will debate for the first time on September 10, 2024. This 90-minute debate is the only scheduled face-off before the election, with tight rules and no audience. Both campaigns have made key preparations, with microphone muting as a major point of contention.
First Debate Between Harris and Trump
On September 10, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will meet on the debate stage for the first time. This 90-minute debate is scheduled just eight weeks before Election Day, making it a critical moment in the race. The debate will be moderated by ABC News anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis.
Location and Format
The debate will be held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, a venue symbolizing the U.S. Constitution. ABC News will broadcast the debate live, with streaming options available on ABC News Live, Disney+, Hulu, and ABC.com for those without cable subscriptions.
Rules and Moderation
Microphone muting, a hotly debated issue between the campaigns, will be enforced during the debate. Each candidate’s microphone will be muted while the other speaks, following the precedent set in the June debate between Biden and Trump. The Harris campaign had initially opposed this rule but eventually agreed to it.
Debate Structure
The candidates will have two minutes to respond to questions, followed by two-minute rebuttals and one-minute follow-up responses. Closing statements will be two minutes long, with Trump delivering his statement last after winning a coin toss. Harris chose the right-side podium as viewed by the audience.
No Audience or Opening Statements
In a move consistent with previous debates, there will be no studio audience and no opening statements. The moderators will introduce the candidates, with the incumbent party’s candidate, Harris, going first. Props and pre-written notes will not be allowed, and candidates will be equipped with only basic materials, including a pen, paper pad, and water.
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