US Presidential Debate: Kamala Harris, Trump To Face Off In 90-Minute Encounter

The first, and likely only, debate between US Vice-President Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, will take place in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. This debate is a crucial event in the 2024 White House race. Scheduled to start at 9 p.m. US Eastern Time (6:30 a.m. IST), the debate will air live for 90 minutes with two commercial breaks.

ABC News will host the debate, which will be simulcast on major US networks including CNN, Fox News, CBS, MSNBC, NBC, and C-Span. David Muir, anchor of ABC News’ ‘World News Tonight,’ and Linsey Davis, anchor of ABC News Live “Prime,” will moderate the debate.

Debate Rules and Formats

The debate will follow rules similar to those used in the June debate between President Joe Biden and former President Trump. There will be no live audience, and only Harris, Trump, Muir, and Davis will be present on stage. The moderators will enforce time limits strictly.

Harris’s campaign had pushed for microphones to remain on throughout the debate to prevent interruptions. However, the rule allowing the muting of microphones after speaking time remains in place. Each candidate will have two minutes to answer questions, two minutes for rebuttals, and one minute for follow-up responses. They will receive a pen, notepad, and bottled water but cannot interact with aides during commercial breaks.

In a virtual coin flip on September 3, Trump won the right to give his closing argument last. Both candidates will have two minutes for their final statements. Harris has chosen the right podium position, also known as stage left. The candidates will enter from the sides after the moderators’ introductions and will not be permitted to ask each other questions. They may use written notes as props.

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