Harris and Trump Set for First 2024 Presidential Debate at National Constitution Center
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will face off in their first debate on September 10.
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will meet at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia for their first debate of the 2024 presidential election. The highly anticipated event is set for September 10 and will be hosted by ABC News.
ABC News released the debate rules on Wednesday, with both candidates accepting the guidelines. The 90-minute debate will feature moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis, who will be the only individuals posing questions to the candidates.
A virtual coin flip on September 3 determined the podium placements and order of closing statements. Trump won the toss, opting to deliver the final closing statement, while Harris selected the right podium (stage left on-screen). Both candidates will be introduced by the moderators and will enter from opposite sides of the stage, with the incumbent party being introduced first.
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There will be no opening statements, and each candidate will have two minutes for closing statements. Throughout the debate, candidates will stand behind their podiums, and props or prewritten notes will not be permitted onstage. Candidates will be allowed only a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water.
The format will include two minutes to answer each question, two minutes for rebuttals, and an additional minute for follow-ups, clarifications, or responses. Microphones will be active only for the candidate whose turn it is to speak and will be muted during the other’s time. The candidates will not be allowed to question each other directly, and their campaign staff will be prohibited from interacting with them during the debate.
Moderators Muir and Davis will enforce the agreed-upon timing and maintain a civil discussion. Notably, there will be no audience present in the room.
As the debate approaches, both Harris and Trump are focusing on persuading undecided voters in the final stretch before Election Day. Their campaigns are expected to spotlight key issues such as the economy, immigration, and abortion, amidst broader discussions on character, culture, and democracy.
“The ABC News Presidential Debate | Race for the White House” will air live on September 10 at 9 p.m. It will be broadcast on ABC and streamed on ABC News Live, Disney+, and Hulu.
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