TOI World Desk
In a highly anticipated event that could shape the course of the 2024 presidential election, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will face off in their first presidential debate on September 10. With the general election looming just weeks away on November 5, the debate promises to be a pivotal moment in the race for the White House.
The road to the debate
The journey to this debate has been anything but smooth.Initially, Trump resisted agreeing to a debate with Harris, insisting that he would only participate if she officially secured the Democratic nomination. That milestone was reached last week at the Democratic National Convention, where Harris was formally nominated after President Joe Biden stepped aside. With the nomination confirmed, Trump quickly shifted gears, agreeing to the debate but raising concerns about the use of “hot mics” that could capture off-the-cuff remarks during the event.
However, on Tuesday, Trump announced that he had “reached an agreement” with the Harris campaign to proceed with the debate, hosted by ABC News, a network he has frequently criticized as being biased against him.
Debate details
The debate will take place at 9 pm EDT on Tuesday (6:30 am on Wednesday in India), September 10, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The choice of venue is symbolic, as Philadelphia is not only one of the key battleground states in this election but also home to the Liberty Bell and a museum dedicated to the US Constitution, highlighting the foundational principles at stake in this election.
How to watch
Moderated by ABC’s David Muir and Linsey Davis, the debate will be live-streamed on various platforms. The format is expected to follow the precedent set by a previous debate between Biden and Trump in June, which featured muted microphones when candidates were not speaking and excluded a live audience to maintain focus on the candidates’ responses.
Ground rules and format
Both campaigns have agreed to the same rules as the June debate, which include muted microphones when candidates are not speaking, no live audience, and no props. There will be two commercial breaks during the debate, giving the candidates brief pauses amid what is expected to be a heated exchange of ideas and accusations.
The candidates on stage
Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic nominee, and Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, are the only candidates currently expected to take the stage. Although third-party candidates have until September 3 to qualify for the debate, they must meet stringent criteria, including appearing on a sufficient number of state ballots and reaching at least 15% support in four national polls. Given these requirements, it is unlikely that any third-party candidates will join Harris and Trump in this crucial debate.
What’s at stake
With the general election just weeks away, this debate will be a critical opportunity for both candidates to sway undecided voters and solidify their base. For Trump, it’s a chance to reassert his influence and demonstrate his continued relevance in the political arena. For Harris, it’s an opportunity to step out from Biden’s shadow and establish herself as a strong leader ready to take on the highest office in the land.
The road to the debate
The journey to this debate has been anything but smooth.Initially, Trump resisted agreeing to a debate with Harris, insisting that he would only participate if she officially secured the Democratic nomination. That milestone was reached last week at the Democratic National Convention, where Harris was formally nominated after President Joe Biden stepped aside. With the nomination confirmed, Trump quickly shifted gears, agreeing to the debate but raising concerns about the use of “hot mics” that could capture off-the-cuff remarks during the event.
However, on Tuesday, Trump announced that he had “reached an agreement” with the Harris campaign to proceed with the debate, hosted by ABC News, a network he has frequently criticized as being biased against him.
Debate details
The debate will take place at 9 pm EDT on Tuesday (6:30 am on Wednesday in India), September 10, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The choice of venue is symbolic, as Philadelphia is not only one of the key battleground states in this election but also home to the Liberty Bell and a museum dedicated to the US Constitution, highlighting the foundational principles at stake in this election.
How to watch
Moderated by ABC’s David Muir and Linsey Davis, the debate will be live-streamed on various platforms. The format is expected to follow the precedent set by a previous debate between Biden and Trump in June, which featured muted microphones when candidates were not speaking and excluded a live audience to maintain focus on the candidates’ responses.
Ground rules and format
Both campaigns have agreed to the same rules as the June debate, which include muted microphones when candidates are not speaking, no live audience, and no props. There will be two commercial breaks during the debate, giving the candidates brief pauses amid what is expected to be a heated exchange of ideas and accusations.
The candidates on stage
Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic nominee, and Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, are the only candidates currently expected to take the stage. Although third-party candidates have until September 3 to qualify for the debate, they must meet stringent criteria, including appearing on a sufficient number of state ballots and reaching at least 15% support in four national polls. Given these requirements, it is unlikely that any third-party candidates will join Harris and Trump in this crucial debate.
What’s at stake
With the general election just weeks away, this debate will be a critical opportunity for both candidates to sway undecided voters and solidify their base. For Trump, it’s a chance to reassert his influence and demonstrate his continued relevance in the political arena. For Harris, it’s an opportunity to step out from Biden’s shadow and establish herself as a strong leader ready to take on the highest office in the land.