ice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet in a highly anticipated prime-time debate on September 10, as confirmed by ABC News on Thursday. The 90-minute debate, set to take place in Philadelphia, will be a significant event in the unfolding presidential campaign, which has been marked by notable twists and turns.
Debate Moderation and Format Details
The debate will be moderated by ABC anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis. While the exact format and ground rules are still being finalized, sources indicate that the event will likely proceed without a live audience.
Trump initially proposed three debates with major networks: September 4 with Fox News, September 10 with NBC, and September 25 with ABC. However, Harris has agreed to participate only in the September 10 debate with NBC, with no explanation provided for her decision to decline the other dates.
The debate’s announcement comes in the wake of President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the race, which led to Trump’s questioning of the debate’s validity with Harris. Recent developments, including Biden’s exit and an assassination attempt on Trump, have heightened interest in the presidential race, which initially seemed poised to mirror the 2020 election.
Trump has expressed a willingness to engage in additional debates with Harris, suggesting events with NBC News and Fox News. However, the Harris campaign has yet to agree to these proposals. Discussions are reportedly ongoing with NBC News about a potential debate on September 25, but no commitment has been made by Harris. Similarly, no agreement has been reached for a debate with Fox News.
The upcoming debate is anticipated to be a critical moment in the campaign’s final stretch, offering voters a crucial opportunity to hear directly from the leading candidates.
