Harris Agrees to Muted Mic Rule for Debate with Trump, Paving Way for First Showdown

Vice-President Kamala Harris has agreed to the debate rules for her upcoming face-off with Donald Trump, including a provision allowing microphones to be muted when it’s the other person’s turn to speak. This decision comes after some initial resistance from Harris’s campaign, which had voiced concerns that the rule could favor Trump.

The muted mic rule was first introduced during the June debate between President Joe Biden and Trump, a move that analysts believe helped Trump maintain a more measured performance by limiting interruptions. Harris’s team, however, expressed concerns that the rule might shield Trump from direct exchanges.

Despite these reservations, both campaigns have now accepted the full debate format set out by ABC News, the host of the 10 September debate in Philadelphia. This will be the first major confrontation between the two as presidential nominees. Harris’s campaign acknowledged that accepting the rules was necessary to avoid the risk of Trump skipping the debate, as he has threatened in the past.

The Trump campaign responded with enthusiasm, welcoming Harris’s acceptance of the debate rules, which had already been agreed upon by both sides. Political watchers are now eagerly anticipating this high-stakes encounter, which could set the tone for the final stretch of the 2024 election campaign.