The stage is set for the first showdown between US Vice President Kamala Harris and ex-president Donald Trump ahead of the November presidential elections. It would be the first interaction between the two leaders, as per media reports.
The debate will be hosted by ABC News and moderated by journalists David Muir and Linsey Davis.
The showdown will offer American voters a glimpse into Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns.
Unlike Harris, this would not be Trump’s first presidential debate this election cycle, as the GOP nominee outclassed President Joe Biden in the previous debate in June, hosted by CNN.
Biden’s poor performance in the debate later culminated in his withdrawal from the race, paving the way for Kamala Harris to take charge of the Democratic presidential campaign. Harris secured the nomination at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), held from August 19 to 22 in Chicago.
Jaime Harrison, the Democratic National Committee chairman, said he was confident Harris would show herself to be more presidential than former President Donald Trump.
The debate is slated to take place at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center at 9 pm ET on Tuesday, September 10 (6:30 am IST on Wednesday). The debate will not have a live audience or live microphones.
Earlier, Harris’s campaign said in a statement that the arrangement, agreed upon by Joe Biden, would disadvantage the Democratic side as it would make it impossible for Harris to interfere and fact-check Trump during live conversation. “We suspect this is the primary reason for his campaign’s insistence on muted microphones,” the VP said in a letter to the Washington Post.
Rules of the debate
Debate rules say that candidates would stand behind the podium, and would be given water, pens, and pads of paper. There won’t be any opening remarks and speakers won’t be given early access to the questions.
Both leaders would be given two minutes to answer each question, two minutes for rebuttal and one additional minute for extra information.
Watch: US Elections 2024: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump to face-off in first ever debate on Tuesday
While one speaker will speak, the other speaker’s microphone shall remain muted. Only the moderators will be allowed to ask questions.
Closing statements will be limited to two minutes per candidate.
(With inputs from agencies)