Harris and Trump Set to Debate in Philadelphia

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are scheduled to face off in a presidential debate on September 10, 2024. The event will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This upcoming debate marks Trump’s second appearance in the 2024 presidential election cycle, having previously debated President Joe Biden before Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris as his successor.

The debate is set for 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time and will be hosted by ABC News, featuring moderators David Muir and Lindsey Davis. Both candidates will stand behind lecterns throughout the 90-minute discussion without making opening statements.

Rules for the debate, which closely align with those established for the previous debate between Trump and Biden, stipulate that microphones will be muted when a candidate is not speaking. This measure aims to prevent interruptions during the debate.

Harris and Trump have agreed to a format that includes two-minute responses to questions, with each candidate allowed a two-minute rebuttal and an additional minute for clarifications. Live audience presence will be omitted to ensure a focused debate environment.

The debate comes at a critical juncture in the election cycle, with candidates polling closely in key battleground states. Recent surveys indicate a tightly contested race, particularly in states such as Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.

Both campaigns have negotiated the terms of the debate after some initial disagreement regarding the muting of microphones. Harris’s campaign explicitly stated concerns over the format, labeling it as potentially disadvantageous for her performance.

Notably, efforts are being made to maintain the integrity of the debate format amidst differing candidate approaches. A pool of White House reporters will be present to report any exchanges that are muted from the televised audience.