Trump-Harris First Presidential Debate: Key Details and Implications

The inaugural presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is set to take place on September 10, just under two months before the general election. This debate marks the first and potentially only direct encounter between the Republican and Democratic nominees for the presidency.

Debate Overview

The debate will be held at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (01:00 GMT) at the National Constitution Center (NCC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Spanning 90 minutes, the event will be broadcast on ABC and streamed through platforms such as ABC News Live, Disney+, and Hulu. The NCC, known for its educational focus on the U.S. Constitution, has previously hosted notable political events, including a Democratic presidential primary debate in 2008 and two ABC News town halls prior to the 2020 election.

Moderators

The debate will be moderated by David Muir, host of ABC’s World News Tonight, and Linsey Davis, anchor of ABC News Live Prime. Both moderators have experience in presidential debates, having co-moderated prior Democratic primary debates and Muir having moderated a Republican primary debate in 2016.

Significance of the Debate

The debate comes in the wake of significant changes in the presidential race. President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in July following pressure over his performance and age, leading the Democratic Party to nominate Kamala Harris as its candidate. Harris’s ascent has reinvigorated Democratic support, reflected in recent polling trends.

According to Real Clear Politics, national polling averages have shifted from a 3.1% disadvantage for Democrats to a 1.8% lead since Harris’s nomination. However, the race remains highly competitive, with Harris and Trump statistically tied in recent polls. The debate presents a crucial opportunity for both candidates to sway undecided voters as Election Day approaches.

Debate Format and Rules

The debate will feature both candidates responding to questions with two minutes allocated per response. Each candidate will also have two minutes for a closing statement. The debate will be conducted without an audience, with only two commercial breaks. Initially, there was contention regarding the format, with Harris’s campaign advocating for changes to the microphone rules to counteract Trump’s tendency for interruptions. Ultimately, both campaigns agreed to maintain the muted microphones for each candidate while the other is speaking.

Third-Party Candidates

No third-party candidates will participate in the debate, as the criteria required for inclusion—15% support in four national polls—have not been met by any third-party contender.

Future Debates

As of now, this debate is the only scheduled face-off between Trump and Harris. There has been speculation about the debate’s occurrence, with Trump initially suggesting he might skip it. However, he has since confirmed his participation, albeit with criticism directed at the debate’s host, ABC News, which he described as “FAKE NEWS” in a social media post.

This debate could play a pivotal role in shaping voter perceptions and influencing the final stretch of the election campaign.