The anticipation for the first debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is building as both campaigns ramp up their preparations for the highly anticipated face-off on September 10th. Trump, who is making appearances at multiple events daily, is utilizing these engagements as a way to hone his debating skills. A Trump campaign official stated that meeting with voters and engaging with the press is part of his “getting ready” process.
The debate, scheduled to take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, will follow the same format as the June debate between Trump and President Biden, including the requirement that candidates not use notes, sit down, or have open microphones during the debate. This agreement comes after the Harris campaign initially pushed for open microphones but ultimately conceded to the original terms.
The Harris campaign’s choice of a legal advisor for debate preparation has sparked controversy. Vice President Harris has recruited Karen Dunn, a lawyer from the firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, to assist her in the debate prep. Dunn, who previously assisted Harris with the 2020 vice-presidential debate against then-Vice President Mike Pence, is also simultaneously representing Google as their lead defense attorney in the Biden-Harris administration’s antitrust lawsuit against the tech giant. This lawsuit, United States v. Google LLC, focuses on Google’s digital advertising practices and is scheduled to begin on September 9th, a day before the presidential debate.
The Trump campaign has seized upon this dual role, accusing Harris of a conflict of interest. Tim Murtaugh, a senior advisor to the Trump campaign, asserted that Harris cannot truly oppose Big Tech when being coached by Google’s top legal counsel. “Think about how outrageous it is — their administration is suing Google, but Harris is taking political advice from the defendant’s lawyer,” Murtaugh said. The Harris campaign has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
As the debate draws closer, the political landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with legal controversies and campaign strategies adding further layers to the already heated competition. The outcome of the debate could significantly impact the upcoming election, making it a crucial event for both candidates and their supporters.
