In a decisive move, ABC News has rejected Vice President Kamala Harris’s last-minute plea to amend the debate regulations for her upcoming showdown with former President Donald Trump.
At a Glance
- ABC News declined Kamala Harris’ request for unmuted microphones during her debate with Donald Trump.
- The debate rules will follow those used in Trump’s recent CNN debate with President Biden.
- Trump and Harris will have limited items on stage: a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water.
- Harris’s team wanted both candidates’ mics on for the entire debate, but ABC News declined.
- The debate is scheduled for September 10 in Philadelphia at 9 pm.
Debate Rules Remain Intact
ABC News has upheld its decision to keep the debate rules consistent with those used during former President Trump’s debate with Joe Biden on June 27. Harris’s plea to allow unmuted microphones throughout the 90-minute session was denied. The rules mandate that microphones will be muted when a candidate is not speaking, ensuring a more orderly debate environment. These protocols were communicated to both campaigns in writing and confirmed ahead of the debate.
Harris’s team expressed frustration over the decision but remains in discussions with ABC News about the final terms. They argue that unmuted microphones would lead to more substantive exchanges between the candidates. The team believes that the restrictions are being implemented to protect Trump from engaging fully with Harris during the debate.
JUST IN – ABC News rejects Kamala Harris last-minute bid to change Trump debate rules, will keep muted mics – NY Post
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) August 29, 2024
Republican Perspective
Senior advisers from Trump’s campaign have stated that all rules were agreed upon and confirmed the previous week. They accuse the Harris campaign of attempting to distract from her lack of media engagements. “The Harris folks are completely full of it. Everything was agreed to and set last week,” said Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller.
This debate aims to follow the precedent set during the Trump-Biden debates with no audience, no pre-written notes or props, and permitted items limited to a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water. ABC News informed both campaigns that it would employ the same rules, known as the “CNN rules.”
ABC News rejects Kamala Harris last-minute bid to change Trump debate rules, will keep muted mics https://t.co/uRGgugILqb pic.twitter.com/slH8mghBvi
— New York Post (@nypost) August 29, 2024
Upcoming Debate
The showdown is set for September 10 at 9 pm and will be hosted by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, this debate represents a critical moment as it is currently the only firmly scheduled debate before the November general election. Speculation surrounds the insistence on muted microphones, with some suggesting Harris’s team hoped to create viral moments similar to her previous “I’m speaking!” interaction with Mike Pence.
Harris spokesman Ian Sams: “It’s interesting that Trump’s handlers keep insisting on muting him, despite the candidate himself saying the opposite. Why won’t they just do what the candidate wants?”
Harris is also focusing on her debate preparation with a bus tour in Georgia, likely using the time to fine-tune her strategy and approach.
Sources
2. ABC’s rules for the Harris-Trump debate include muted mics when candidates aren’t speaking
