Trump v Harris debate: What are the rules?
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US Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump will face off in their first debate on Sept 10, 2024.
PHOTO: AFP
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WASHINGTON – US Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump will face off in a debate for the first time on Sept 10, each seeking an edge in what has become a neck-and-neck race for the White House.
After weeks of back-and-forth on the where, when and how of the debate, US broadcaster ABC – which is hosting the event – announced the final rules of the contest, as agreed to by the two campaigns, this week.
Here are the major takeaways.
When and where
The debate will take place at the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia at 9pm local time on Sept 10 (9am on Sept 11, Singapore time) and will be aired live.
There will be no audience in the room.
The event will be moderated by ABC anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis, and will run for 90 minutes of debate time, with two commercial breaks.
Muted mics
The issue of whether microphones would be muted – as they were during a previous debate between US President Joe Biden and Trump – was a contentious one, with each side accusing the other of cowardice over the question.
ABC has announced that each candidate’s microphone will be live only for when it is the person’s turn to speak, and muted when the time belongs to the other candidate.
Only moderators will be allowed to ask questions, and no topics or questions will be shared in advance with the candidates.
Who speaks when
Candidates will not offer opening statements. They will be allotted two minutes to answer each question, with two minutes granted to their opponent for a rebuttal.
There will be an additional minute for “a follow-up, clarification or response”, according to the rules.
At the end of the debate, each candidate will offer a two-minute closing statement, with Trump to go last, as per the results of a virtual coin toss.
No props
Candidates will stand behind podiums through the entire length of the debate, with no props or pre-written notes allowed.
Trump and Ms Harris will each be given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water.
Campaign staff will not be allowed to speak or interact with the candidates during the commercial breaks. AFP
