The political stage is set for a dramatic showdown as the much-anticipated US Presidential debate between Republican candidate Donald Trump and the newly elected Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is just hours away. This face-off, the first televised debate between the two contenders, arrives less than two months before the US Presidential elections in 2024.
The event gains even more significance following US President Joe Biden’s announcement on July 21st, where he withdrew from the Presidential race and endorsed Vice President Harris. This debate, taking place in Pennsylvania, will be a unique experience, devoid of a live audience and featuring muted microphones. This means each candidate’s microphone will be switched off when it’s not their turn to speak, creating a structured environment for the exchange of ideas.
The Trump-Harris debate will commence on Tuesday at 9 pm EST, which translates to 6:30 am IST on Wednesday in India. For those eager to witness this historic event, the debate will be hosted by ABC News, with “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir and ABC News Live “Prime” anchor Linsey Davis moderating the discussion. The debate will be divided into segments with two commercial breaks.
Beyond ABC News, the debate will be simulcast on various networks including ABC News Live 24/7 streaming network, CBS News’ live, CBS News 24/7, CNN, C-SPAN, Fox News, and NBC News. For those preferring digital platforms, the Harris-Trump debate will be streamed live on OTT platforms like Disney+ and Hulu.
In preparation for this momentous clash, the candidates had agreed upon specific debate rules in August. These rules dictate that both candidates will stand at a podium throughout the debate, with their microphones muted except when it’s their turn to speak. Props and pre-written notes are also prohibited on the podium, leaving each candidate with only a pen, a paper pad, and a bottle of water. Furthermore, during the commercial breaks, communication with campaign staff is strictly forbidden.
ABC has clarified that the debate will start without opening remarks and neither candidate will be given prior access to the topics or questions. Each candidate will have a limited time for their closing remarks, restricted to two minutes. Interestingly, the debate structure prevents candidates from asking questions to each other. Both Harris and Trump will be allotted two minutes to answer questions, followed by two minutes for rebuttals and an additional minute for any necessary clarifications.
A virtual coin toss was conducted on Tuesday to determine the order of closing statements and podium placement. Trump emerged victorious from the coin toss and chose to decide the order of closing statements. This resulted in Trump delivering the final closing statement. Harris, on the other hand, selected the podium position on the left side of the stage.
With the stage set for a fiery exchange of ideas and policies, this debate promises to be a crucial moment in the lead-up to the 2024 US Presidential elections. The nation eagerly awaits the outcome of this historic debate, as it could potentially shape the future of American politics.
