Presidential Debate Full Recap: Harris Calls for Second Face-Off After Holding Firm Against Trump's Attacks

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

Kamala HarrisandDonald Trumpfaced off for one of the highest-stakes political events in modern history on Tuesday, Sept. 10, as the two met for the first time in person to participate in a presidential debate.Harris, 59, was tasked with rewriting the Democratic Party’s 2024 election narrative, aiming to bring her prosecutorial background to the debate stage and achieve what her boss failed at earlier this summer: convincing voters to leave Trump, 78, in the past.Donald Trump and Kamala Harris begin their first presidential debate on Sept. 10, 2024.SAUL LOEB/AFP via GettyIn June, then-Democratic candidateJoe Biden, 81, participated in an unusually early presidential debate against Trump, where aweak performancesparked insurmountable concerns about his age. Weeks into a Democratic revolt against Biden’s reelection bid, the incumbent president made the historic decision to drop out of the presidential race.Harris quickly replaced Biden on the ticket and wiped out Trump’s polling lead in record time. The question in this debate was whether she could keep up the momentum and fend off Trump’s attacks, or if she would be stuck on defense like Biden was in June.The Sept. 10 presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and President Donald Trump marked the first-ever in-person meeting between the political foesHarris brought her prosecutorial background and skeptical facial expressions to the debate stage, succeeding in putting Trump on the defenseTrump aimed to link Harris with President Biden’s shortcomings, but was more memorable for pushing conspiracy theoriesAfter the broadcast, which was kept under control with disciplined moderators, Harris called for a second debate in October

Kamala HarrisandDonald Trumpfaced off for one of the highest-stakes political events in modern history on Tuesday, Sept. 10, as the two met for the first time in person to participate in a presidential debate.

Harris, 59, was tasked with rewriting the Democratic Party’s 2024 election narrative, aiming to bring her prosecutorial background to the debate stage and achieve what her boss failed at earlier this summer: convincing voters to leave Trump, 78, in the past.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris begin their first presidential debate on Sept. 10, 2024.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

In June, then-Democratic candidateJoe Biden, 81, participated in an unusually early presidential debate against Trump, where aweak performancesparked insurmountable concerns about his age. Weeks into a Democratic revolt against Biden’s reelection bid, the incumbent president made the historic decision to drop out of the presidential race.

Harris quickly replaced Biden on the ticket and wiped out Trump’s polling lead in record time. The question in this debate was whether she could keep up the momentum and fend off Trump’s attacks, or if she would be stuck on defense like Biden was in June.

The Sept. 10 presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and President Donald Trump marked the first-ever in-person meeting between the political foesHarris brought her prosecutorial background and skeptical facial expressions to the debate stage, succeeding in putting Trump on the defenseTrump aimed to link Harris with President Biden’s shortcomings, but was more memorable for pushing conspiracy theoriesAfter the broadcast, which was kept under control with disciplined moderators, Harris called for a second debate in October

Harris Calls for Another Debate in OctoberSeptember 10, 2024 11:19 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostShortly after Harris exited the stage, her campaign said that she would like a second debate in October.“Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate,” read a statement from campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon. “Is Donald Trump?”

Harris Calls for Another Debate in October

September 10, 2024 11:19 PM EDT

Shortly after Harris exited the stage, her campaign said that she would like a second debate in October.

“Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate,” read a statement from campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon. “Is Donald Trump?”

Taylor Swift Breaks Election Silence to Endorse Harris for President

September 10, 2024 11:18 PM EDT

Just minutes after the debate ended,Taylor Swiftannounced she wasendorsing Harris for president.

“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election,” Swift wrote in a post shared to onInstagram, adding that Harris “fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them.”

September 10, 2024 11:07 PM EDT

Drudge Report, once a pro-Trump news aggregator, blasted the former president’s debate performance online immediately after the debate ended.

Many pundits were quick to declare that, aside from some minor flubs, Harris achieved what she needed to.

Trump’s Guest List Tonight Includes RFK Jr.September 10, 2024 10:56 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostTrump’s campaign has lined up several of his former competitors to praise his candidacy in the spin room — most notably, former independent candidateRobert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently ended his presidential bid and endorsed Trump.Republican presidential nominee J.D. Vance at the presidential debate on Sept. 10, 2024.Bryan Dozier/Variety via GettyAlso showing up for Trump tonight are running mateJ.D. Vance, ex-CongresswomanTulsi Gabbard, former presidential candidateVivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov.Doug Burgum, South Dakota Gov.Kristi Noem, and South Carolina Sen.Tim Scott.

Trump’s Guest List Tonight Includes RFK Jr.

September 10, 2024 10:56 PM EDT

Trump’s campaign has lined up several of his former competitors to praise his candidacy in the spin room — most notably, former independent candidateRobert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently ended his presidential bid and endorsed Trump.

Republican presidential nominee J.D. Vance at the presidential debate on Sept. 10, 2024.Bryan Dozier/Variety via Getty

Bryan Dozier/Variety via Getty

Also showing up for Trump tonight are running mateJ.D. Vance, ex-CongresswomanTulsi Gabbard, former presidential candidateVivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov.Doug Burgum, South Dakota Gov.Kristi Noem, and South Carolina Sen.Tim Scott.

Harris' Guest List Tonight Includes Former Trump OfficialsSeptember 10, 2024 10:50 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostAnthony Scaramucci, Donald Trump’s former communications director, speaks in support of Kamala Harris after the Sept. 10 debate.Chip Somodevilla/GettyRememberAnthony Scaramucci? Trump’s outspoken former aide, who lasted 10 days as the White House communications director in 2017, is one of two ex-Trump officials joining the Harris campaign in the spin room after the debate to defend the vice president’s performance.The other isOlivia Troye, a national security official who worked under Vice PresidentMike Penceand served as the lead staffer on the White House Coronavirus Task Force before her resignation five months into the pandemic.Several others are serving as surrogates for Harris’ campaign this evening, including California Gov.Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Gov.Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov.Roy Cooper, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, California Sen.Laphonza Butler, Illinois Sen.Tammy Duckworth, Connecticut Sen.Chris Murphy, retired Brig. Gen. Steve Anderson, and Gold Star father Khizr Khan.

Harris' Guest List Tonight Includes Former Trump Officials

September 10, 2024 10:50 PM EDT

Anthony Scaramucci, Donald Trump’s former communications director, speaks in support of Kamala Harris after the Sept. 10 debate.Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Chip Somodevilla/Getty

RememberAnthony Scaramucci? Trump’s outspoken former aide, who lasted 10 days as the White House communications director in 2017, is one of two ex-Trump officials joining the Harris campaign in the spin room after the debate to defend the vice president’s performance.

The other isOlivia Troye, a national security official who worked under Vice PresidentMike Penceand served as the lead staffer on the White House Coronavirus Task Force before her resignation five months into the pandemic.

Several others are serving as surrogates for Harris’ campaign this evening, including California Gov.Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Gov.Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov.Roy Cooper, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, California Sen.Laphonza Butler, Illinois Sen.Tammy Duckworth, Connecticut Sen.Chris Murphy, retired Brig. Gen. Steve Anderson, and Gold Star father Khizr Khan.

The Debate Is Over

September 10, 2024 10:47 PM EDT

ABC News has ended its broadcast and the candidates have left the stage, as political analysts begin to unpack what we just witnessed.

Harris Made a Point to Clarify Her View on Guns

September 10, 2024 10:46 PM EDT

Trump Said He Doesn’t Have a Health Care Plan Tonight

September 10, 2024 10:42 PM EDT

Before the break, Trump admitted that he doesn’t have a plan for health care, after spending the first minutes of the debate accusing Harris of having no plans. (His missing health care planwas a point of contentionduring the 2020 campaign as well.)

Debate Runs Overtime as Candidates Prepare for Closing StatementsSeptember 10, 2024 10:38 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostThe debate, which was scheduled to end at 10:30 p.m. ET, is on its final commercial break before closing statements. Harris will give her two-minute statement first, then Trump will close out the broadcast.

Debate Runs Overtime as Candidates Prepare for Closing Statements

September 10, 2024 10:38 PM EDT

The debate, which was scheduled to end at 10:30 p.m. ET, is on its final commercial break before closing statements. Harris will give her two-minute statement first, then Trump will close out the broadcast.

Trump Defends 1989 Death Penalty Campaign for Now-Exonerated Central Park 5

September 10, 2024 10:36 PM EDT

Harris Highlights Trump’s History of RacismSeptember 10, 2024 10:31 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostAsked about his recent remarks that he “didn’t know” Harris is Black, Trump said, “Whatever she wants to be is okay with me,” adding, “I read where she was not Black and then I read where she was Black. … That’s up to her.”In response, Harris said, “I think it’s honestly a tragedy that we have someone who wants to be president who has consistently, over the course of his career, used race to divide the American people.”“Let’s remember how Donald Trump started. He owned land, he owned buildings and he was investigated because he refused to rent property to Black families,” Harris continued. “This is the same individual who took out a full-page ad inThe New York Timescalling for the execution… of the Central Park Five,” a group of five Black and Hispanic teens who in 1989 were falsely accused of assaulting a jogger and served time before DNA evidence exonerated them.Trump also, Harris added, “spread birther lies about the first Black president of the United States,”Barack Obama.

Harris Highlights Trump’s History of Racism

September 10, 2024 10:31 PM EDT

Asked about his recent remarks that he “didn’t know” Harris is Black, Trump said, “Whatever she wants to be is okay with me,” adding, “I read where she was not Black and then I read where she was Black. … That’s up to her.”

In response, Harris said, “I think it’s honestly a tragedy that we have someone who wants to be president who has consistently, over the course of his career, used race to divide the American people.”

“Let’s remember how Donald Trump started. He owned land, he owned buildings and he was investigated because he refused to rent property to Black families,” Harris continued. “This is the same individual who took out a full-page ad inThe New York Timescalling for the execution… of the Central Park Five,” a group of five Black and Hispanic teens who in 1989 were falsely accused of assaulting a jogger and served time before DNA evidence exonerated them.

Trump also, Harris added, “spread birther lies about the first Black president of the United States,”Barack Obama.

Harris Addresses Afghanistan Withdrawal, Which Has Become a Campaign IssueSeptember 10, 2024 10:26 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostOn therecent anniversaryof the United States pulling troops from Afghanistan in 2021 — during which13 American soldiers were killedin an attack — Trump accused Vice President Harris of failing to take responsibility for their deaths.Though investigations have concluded that both Trump and Biden’s White Houses share blame for the messy withdrawal, Harris' campaign has taken heat for her perceived distance from those Gold Star families.Asked about the Afghanistan withdrawal, and whether she supported Biden’s decision to pull troops, Harris said, “I agreed with Joe Biden’s decision to pull out of Afghanistan. Four presidents said they would, and Joe Biden did it.”

Harris Addresses Afghanistan Withdrawal, Which Has Become a Campaign Issue

September 10, 2024 10:26 PM EDT

On therecent anniversaryof the United States pulling troops from Afghanistan in 2021 — during which13 American soldiers were killedin an attack — Trump accused Vice President Harris of failing to take responsibility for their deaths.

Though investigations have concluded that both Trump and Biden’s White Houses share blame for the messy withdrawal, Harris' campaign has taken heat for her perceived distance from those Gold Star families.

Asked about the Afghanistan withdrawal, and whether she supported Biden’s decision to pull troops, Harris said, “I agreed with Joe Biden’s decision to pull out of Afghanistan. Four presidents said they would, and Joe Biden did it.”

Trump Refuses to Say Whether He Wants Ukraine to Win the War: ‘Just Get It Done’

“I think it’s in the U.S.’s best interest to get this war finished,” he said. “Just get it done.”

Harris countered Trump, saying that Ukraine has a right to its independence.

Trump Says Biden ‘Doesn’t Know He’s Alive’

September 10, 2024 10:15 PM EDT

“You’re not running against Joe Biden, you’re running against me.”

That’s what Harris replied when Trump said Biden “doesn’t know he’s alive” while side-stepping a question on whether he supports Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Trump and Harris Argue over Who Is Stronger at Foreign Policy

September 10, 2024 10:09 PM EDT

Harris said Trump is “consistently weak and wrong on matters of national security,” and speaks positively and openly about his admiration of dictators, like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.

Saying dictators want Trump to win the election, Harris told the former president it is so “they can manipulate you with flattery and favors,” adding, “so many [American] military leaders that you have worked with have told me that you are a disgrace.”

Talking About 2020, Harris Looks at Trump: ‘You Did in Fact Lose That Election’

September 10, 2024 10:04 PM EDT

Trump then falsely asserted that there is “so much proof” he won the 2020 election, leading moderator David Muir to note that Trump in fact lost both the popular and electoral votes, and that all of his legal attempts to overturn his electoral loss had failed.

Trump Falsely Cites Crime Rates; Harris Responds, ‘This Is Rich’

September 10, 2024 09:52 PM EDT

Vice President Kamala Harris visibly reacts as former President Donald Trump speaks at the Sept. 10 debate.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

Harris addressed Trump’s complaints about crime, saying, “This is rich coming from someone who has been prosecuted for national security crimes, economic crimes, election interference, has been found liable for sexual assault.”

She added: “This is someone who has openly said he would terminate the Constitution of the United States … someone who has openly expressed disdain for members of our military. Understand what it would mean if Donald Trump were back in the White House with no guardrails.”

Trump then claimed the Biden administration was “weaponizing” its cases against him, adding, “they tried to use it to win an election” — a reference to his continued false claims that he actually won the 2020 election.

Also addressing the assassination attempt on him in June, Trump said, “I probably took a bullet to the head because of the things they say about me … the fake Russia, Russia, Russia investigation that went nowhere.”

Trump: ‘Harris Wants to Do Transgender Operations on Illegal Aliens in Prison’

September 10, 2024 09:49 PM EDT

During an answer about fracking and American energy sources, Trump veered into a long aside that crescendoed with the surprising, buzzword-filled line, “[Harris] wants to do transgender operations on illegal aliens that are in prison.”

The moderators cut him off soon after, saying they have a lot of topics to get to.

Harris Chuckles in Disbelief After Trump Says Immigrants Are ‘Eating the Pets’ of Americans

September 10, 2024 09:38 PM EDT

Kamala Harris.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty

During a segment on immigration, Trump brought up conservatives' false conspiracy theory regarding illegal immigrants “eating pets,” which received mass criticism ahead of the debate.

“In Springfield, [Ohio,] they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in. They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people who live there, and this is what’s happening in our country,” Trump falsely claimed of immigrants.

When the moderators went back to Harris for a response, she chuckled and said, “Talk about extreme. This is one of the reasons why I actually have the endorsement of 200 Republicans… including the endorsement of former Vice President Dick Cheney.”

Trump Commends SCOTUS for Overturning ‘Roe v. Wade’; Harris Vows to Reinstate ItSeptember 10, 2024 09:30 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostTalking about the Supreme Court’soverturning ofRoe v. Wadein 2022, Trump — who has flip-flopped on his abortion rights stances — said, “I give tremendous credit to those six justices.“Suggesting that Trump would enact a national abortion ban, which he has denied, Harris said she would instead reinstate the federal right to abortion as president.“One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to believe the government and Donald Trump certainly should not be telling women what to do with their body,” she said.

Trump Commends SCOTUS for Overturning ‘Roe v. Wade’; Harris Vows to Reinstate It

September 10, 2024 09:30 PM EDT

Talking about the Supreme Court’soverturning ofRoe v. Wadein 2022, Trump — who has flip-flopped on his abortion rights stances — said, “I give tremendous credit to those six justices.”

Suggesting that Trump would enact a national abortion ban, which he has denied, Harris said she would instead reinstate the federal right to abortion as president.

“One does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to believe the government and Donald Trump certainly should not be telling women what to do with their body,” she said.

Moderator Fact Checks Trump on Abortion for Saying Democrats Endorse ‘Execution After Birth’

September 10, 2024 09:22 PM EDT

Later in the back-and-forth on reproductive rights, Harris said, “Nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion. That is insulting to the women of America.”

Harris Says Biden Administration Had to ‘Clean Up Donald Trump’s Mess’September 10, 2024 09:17 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostIn one of the first policy exchanges in the debate, Harris countered Trump’s blame on the Biden administration for how they handled the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic when they entered the White House.“What we have done is clean up Donald Trump’s mess,” she said.

Harris Says Biden Administration Had to ‘Clean Up Donald Trump’s Mess’

September 10, 2024 09:17 PM EDT

In one of the first policy exchanges in the debate, Harris countered Trump’s blame on the Biden administration for how they handled the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic when they entered the White House.

“What we have done is clean up Donald Trump’s mess,” she said.

Trump Downplays His Ties to Project 2025

September 10, 2024 09:15 PM EDT

A recently unearthed 2022 video shows Trump expressing familiarity with the authors of Project 2025 — and suggesting that he knew the document was in the works.

Speaking about the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, which commissioned the Project 2025 manifesto, Trump said: “They’re going to lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do and what your movement will do, when the American people give us a colossal mandate to save America, and that’s coming.”

PEOPLE previously explained the major proposals of Project 2025, including a Trump-approved plan for replacing longtime federal government employees with MAGA loyalists.Read that explainer here.

Harris Introduces Herself to Trump as Candidates Take the StageSeptember 10, 2024 09:05 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostAs the vice president and former president took the stage at the start of the debate, Harris walked over to Trump’s podium and introduced herself, highlighting the fact that they have never met face to face.“Kamala Harris. Let’s have a good debate,” she said as she shook his hand.“Nice to see you,” Trump responded.Trump skipped Biden and Harris’ inauguration in 2021, which would have been the natural time for the two to meet.

Harris Introduces Herself to Trump as Candidates Take the Stage

September 10, 2024 09:05 PM EDT

As the vice president and former president took the stage at the start of the debate, Harris walked over to Trump’s podium and introduced herself, highlighting the fact that they have never met face to face.

“Kamala Harris. Let’s have a good debate,” she said as she shook his hand.

“Nice to see you,” Trump responded.

Trump skipped Biden and Harris' inauguration in 2021, which would have been the natural time for the two to meet.

Trump Gets the Final Word Tonight After Winning a Coin TossSeptember 10, 2024 09:00 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostA virtual coin toss on Sept. 3 determined some final logistics for the debate. The winner was allowed to either select the order of closing statements or choose which podium they will stand at.Trump won the coin toss and decided that he wanted to give his closing statement last, meaning he will have the final word of the evening. Harris, then, got to choose which side of the stage she will stand on, deciding that she wants to appear on the viewers’ right.When you look back at past presidential debates, the incumbent party has most often stood on the right side; Harris’ decision to put Trump on the left subtly makes him appear less experienced.

Trump Gets the Final Word Tonight After Winning a Coin Toss

September 10, 2024 09:00 PM EDT

A virtual coin toss on Sept. 3 determined some final logistics for the debate. The winner was allowed to either select the order of closing statements or choose which podium they will stand at.

Trump won the coin toss and decided that he wanted to give his closing statement last, meaning he will have the final word of the evening. Harris, then, got to choose which side of the stage she will stand on, deciding that she wants to appear on the viewers’ right.

When you look back at past presidential debates, the incumbent party has most often stood on the right side; Harris’ decision to put Trump on the left subtly makes him appear less experienced.

What to Know About the Debate Moderators

September 10, 2024 08:58 PM EDT

ABC News' David Muir andLinsey Daviswere tapped to host ABC News' presidential debate on Tuesday.

Muir, 51, is anchor and managing editor ofABC World News Tonightand has moderated multiple presidential primary debates. He has previously interviewed both Trump and Harris.

Davis, 46, anchors the Sunday edition ofWorld News Tonightas well asPrimewhich airs on ABC News Live, the network’s 24/7 streaming news channel. She has also moderated presidential primary debates.

ABC News' David Muir and Linsey Davis are moderating the Sept. 10, 2024, presidential debate.Mike Coppola/Getty Images; Michael Le Brecht II/ABC via Getty Images

Mike Coppola/Getty Images; Michael Le Brecht II/ABC via Getty Images

Some of the network’s top political talent — namelyThis Week’sMartha RaddatzandGeorge Stephanopoulos— won’t be at the moderators’ desk. Raddatz moderated ABC News’ last general election presidential debate in 2016, and Stephanopoulos is a go-to political voice as a former White House communications director.

Tonight’s Format Will Mimic the Last Debate — Here Are the RulesSeptember 10, 2024 08:45 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostPresidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden at CNN’s June 27 presidential debate.EyePress News/ShutterstockModeled after CNN’s June 27 debate between Trump and Biden, tonight’sABC Newsdebate will veer from the classic, rowdy format. Here are the governing rules that both campaigns have signed off on:There will be no studio audienceNo props or pre-written notes are allowedEach candidate gets only a pen, a pad of paper and a water bottleMicrophones will be muted except when it’s a candidate’s turn to speaksOnly moderators are permitted to ask questionsCandidates mustremain at their podiumsfor the duration of the debateCampaign staff may not talk to candidates during commercial breaksThere will be no opening statements, and closing statements are limited to two minutesCandidates get two minutes for each answer and rebuttal, but more time can be granted for clarifications or follow-ups

Tonight’s Format Will Mimic the Last Debate — Here Are the Rules

September 10, 2024 08:45 PM EDT

Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden at CNN’s June 27 presidential debate.EyePress News/Shutterstock

EyePress News/Shutterstock

Modeled after CNN’s June 27 debate between Trump and Biden, tonight’sABC Newsdebate will veer from the classic, rowdy format. Here are the governing rules that both campaigns have signed off on:

Pre-Debate Drama Nearly Jeopardized the BroadcastSeptember 10, 2024 08:36 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostThe debate rules were a point of contention in recent weeks as Trump and Harris’ dueling campaigns hammered out final details of the event.Trump’s team, which saw how muted microphones benefitted the former president in his last debate against Biden, wanted candidates’ mics to be shut off again when it wasn’t their turn to speak. Those were the rules that his and Biden’s campaign agreed with ABC News on before Biden backed out of the race.When Harris replaced Biden, though, her team argued that they should reevaluate the previously decided debate rules. If Harris had it her way, candidates’ microphones would be live at all times so that viewers at home could hear disruptions.“Our understanding is that Trump’s handlers prefer the muted microphone because they don’t think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own,” Harris adviser Brian Fallon said in an Aug. 26 statement shared with PEOPLE. “The Vice President is ready to deal with Trump’s constant lies and interruptions in real time. Trump should stop hiding behind the mute button.”For a moment, some publicly wondered if Trump — who has spent months convincing his followers that the debate will be rigged against him — would use the dispute with Harris as an excuse for backing out of the event. Rather than risk a cancellation, the Harris campaign eventually accepted defeat and agreed to leave the old rules in place.

Pre-Debate Drama Nearly Jeopardized the Broadcast

September 10, 2024 08:36 PM EDT

The debate rules were a point of contention in recent weeks as Trump and Harris’ dueling campaigns hammered out final details of the event.

Trump’s team, which saw how muted microphones benefitted the former president in his last debate against Biden, wanted candidates’ mics to be shut off again when it wasn’t their turn to speak. Those were the rules that his and Biden’s campaign agreed with ABC News on before Biden backed out of the race.

When Harris replaced Biden, though, her team argued that they should reevaluate the previously decided debate rules. If Harris had it her way, candidates’ microphones would be live at all times so that viewers at home could hear disruptions.

“Our understanding is that Trump’s handlers prefer the muted microphone because they don’t think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own,” Harris adviser Brian Fallon said in an Aug. 26 statement shared with PEOPLE. “The Vice President is ready to deal with Trump’s constant lies and interruptions in real time. Trump should stop hiding behind the mute button.”

For a moment, some publicly wondered if Trump — who has spent months convincing his followers that the debate will be rigged against him — would use the dispute with Harris as an excuse for backing out of the event. Rather than risk a cancellation, the Harris campaign eventually accepted defeat and agreed to leave the old rules in place.

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source: people.com