The upcoming U.S. vice presidential debate is shaping up to be a heated affair, with tensions rising over the use of open microphones and a potential boycott from Donald Trump.
Trump, in his third run for the presidency, has threatened to withdraw from the ABC-hosted debate, accusing the network of bias. He took to social media on Sunday, questioning the impartiality of ABC, writing, “Why would I do the Debate against Kamala Harris on that network?”
Meanwhile, Harris’ campaign is pushing for unmuted microphones throughout the debate, a departure from the previous presidential debate where mics were muted when the other candidate was speaking. Harris’ spokesperson, Brian Fallon, urged Trump to “stop hiding behind the mute button.”
In response, Trump’s campaign senior adviser, Jason Miller, stated that they had agreed to the same terms as CNN’s June debate, which included muted microphones. However, Trump later expressed his preference for his microphone to be kept on, showing his distaste for the mute option used in the last debate. “I’m not spending a lot of time on it. I think my whole life I’ve been preparing for a debate,” Trump said. “You can’t cram knowledge into your head, for you know, 30 years of knowledge in one week. So, you know, there’s a little debate prep, but I’ve always done it more or less the same way.”
The September 10th debate is seen as a crucial event in the lead-up to the election. Trump’s recent social media post has cast doubt on his participation, with the potential boycott further intensifying the already contentious political landscape. While a recent Rasmussen poll showed Trump leading Harris by 3 points, most other polls have shown Harris leading. However, it is important to note that this poll was conducted before significant political events, including the Democratic National Convention and Robert Kennedy Jr.’s campaign suspension.
The race remains close, with Trump slightly ahead in some prediction markets. Harris, however, has shown leads in key swing state polls. The outcome of this debate could significantly impact the direction of the election, making it a highly anticipated event for both political analysts and voters alike.
