ABC News finalized the rules for the September 10 presidential debate on Thursday, rejecting Vice President Kamala Harris’s last-minute request to change the format. According to the outlet, the upcoming debate will require both candidates to remain standing, prohibit the use of note cards or “cheat sheets,” and mute the candidates’ microphone unless it is their turn to speak.
After weeks of logistical hurdles and dispute over the rules of the event, the Harris and Trump campaigns finally agreed to ABC’s terms, which mirror those put in place by CNN during former President Donald Trump’s debate with President Joe Biden this summer. However, despite reaching an understanding, the Harris campaign requested again to reverse all three requirements, allowing her to remain seated and read from prepared notes during the debate.
Learn more about the 2024 Vault Conference and secure your ticket today!
She also asked that both microphones remain live for the duration of the debate, allowing for more back-and-forth chatter and, according to campaign sources, offering Trump a tempting opportunity for “intemperate outbursts.”
In an email distributed to both campaigns on Thursday, ABC denied all of the Harris team’s requests and reaffirmed that the CNN rules will remain in effect.
Kamala is so exposed here – have a debate sitting? With note cards? With mics hot so you can read hit lines from note cards? What the heck?!?!?
Trump Camp (and ABC, to be fair) held the line. https://t.co/bqpo5vLmR2
— The Biz Doc (@TomEllsworth) August 29, 2024
The debate is scheduled for September 10 at 9 p.m. EST, and will be held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
Got a hot scoop or an idea for a story? Connect with the VT writers on Minnect!
Add comment