Trump and Harris Clash Over Debate Microphone Rules Ahead of September Showdown

The campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are at odds over the rules for their upcoming debate, particularly whether one candidate’s microphone should be muted while the other is speaking. The debate, scheduled for September 10th on ABC, has become a point of contention as both sides push for different formats.

The Harris campaign has advocated for both candidates’ microphones to remain live throughout the entire debate, allowing for uninterrupted communication and potentially more dynamic exchanges. In contrast, the Trump campaign reportedly prefers the rules agreed upon during the previous debates with Joe Biden, which included muting the microphone of the non-speaking candidate to maintain order.

This disagreement has led to a standoff in negotiations, first reported by Politico, with the Trump campaign questioning the impartiality of ABC News. Trump has even suggested that he might skip the debate if the rules are not to his liking.

During his June debate with Biden, Trump accepted the microphone muting rule, which was enforced to prevent interruptions. However, in a recent statement, Trump indicated that he would prefer open microphones but acknowledged that the previous setup “worked out fine.”

With just 15 days remaining until the debate in Philadelphia, both campaigns are pushing for their preferred formats, leaving the final decision on the debate’s structure still unresolved. The outcome of these negotiations could significantly impact the tone and flow of the debate, potentially setting the stage for a more contentious or freewheeling exchange between the two prominent political figures.