Trump vs. Harris: Rules Set for Highly Anticipated Debate, Awaiting the Showdown

The first—and potentially only—debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will take place Tuesday at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, a historic venue known for its role in promoting understanding of the U.S. Constitution. Hosted by ABC News, this showdown is expected to shape the course of the presidential race. The candidates will face off under strict debate rules. The debate begins at 9 p.m. ET and lasts 90 minutes, including two commercial breaks.

Debate Format and Rules

According to the guidelines released last week, the debate will have no live audience or opening statements, ensuring a level playing field for both candidates. Both candidates will have two minutes to respond to questions, two minutes for rebuttals, and an additional minute for follow-up clarifications. They will each have up to two minutes for their closing statements. However, there will be no opportunity for the candidates to ask each other direct questions. Only the moderators, ABC’s David Muir and Linsey Davis, can ask the questions.

The debate format is expected to be tightly controlled, with candidates restricted from bringing prewritten notes or props onto the stage. They will not be given any advance notice of topics or questions. Notably, the microphones will be muted when it isn’t the candidate’s turn to speak—a point of contention during the planning stages. Harris initially opposed this, arguing that it could shield Trump from confrontation. However, the campaigns eventually agreed to the same rules that applied in the first 2020 presidential debate between Trump and Biden.

Debate Broadcast and Coverage

Although hosted by ABC News, the debate will be simulcast across multiple platforms, including CBS News. It will offer the full debate and post-event analysis on its television stations and streaming service.

Podium Placement and Closing Statements

A virtual coin toss on September 3rd, a common method used to determine such arrangements fairly and impartially, decided the debate’s final arrangements. Trump won the toss and opted to deliver the last closing statement. Harris, in turn, selected her position on the debate stage, standing to the right of the screen.

Microphone Controversy

The microphone format became a hot topic of debate between the campaigns, following the 2020 precedent when Trump and Biden’s microphones were muted at specific points. Harris’ team initially pushed for open microphones, claiming that the setup would disadvantage her and limit direct engagement with Trump. Despite this concern, Harris ultimately agreed to the muted microphone format after assuring that the microphones could be unmuted in cases of significant crosstalk.

Preparation Strategies

The preparation strategies for the two campaigns have taken different approaches. Harris traveled to Pittsburgh to focus on debate strategy, practicing with extended mock debates to emphasize policy contrasts. A former Hillary Clinton aide who played Trump during mock debates in 2016 has reprised his role to help Harris prepare.

Trump, on the other hand, has taken a more informal approach to preparation, relying on conversations with advisers, engaging with voters, and media appearances. Trump described his debate preparation as ongoing: “I’ve been preparing all my life for this debate.”

As the showdown approaches, all eyes will be on the debate stage, where the face-off between these two high-profile figures could shape the campaign’s trajectory in the weeks ahead.