ABC News has rejected Vice President Kamala Harris' last-minute request to change the rules for her upcoming debate with former President Donald Trump.
The network will maintain muted microphones during the September 10 event, adhering to the same format used in Trump's previous debate with President Biden.
This decision comes after days of negotiations between the campaigns, as reported by The New York Post. The debate, scheduled to take place at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center, will follow similar guidelines to those used in the June 27 CNN debate between Trump and Biden. These rules include no audience presence, no pre-written notes or props, and muted microphones when a candidate is not speaking. Both Trump and Harris will be permitted to have only a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water on stage.
The Harris campaign made a surprising move on Monday, expressing their desire to have both candidates' microphones unmuted for the entire 90-minute debate. This request came after ABC News had already informed both campaigns in writing that they would be employing the "CNN rules" for the event.
A top Trump ally revealed that both campaigns had previously confirmed their acceptance of the September 10 date and the established rules. The sudden change in stance from the Harris team has been met with skepticism from their opponents.
The Trump campaign views the Harris team's request as an attempt to create a distraction or potentially lay grounds for backing out of the debate. Jason Miller, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, dismissed the Harris team's claims, stating that everything had been agreed upon and set the previous week.
The New York Post reviewed an email from ABC News Chief Counsel Eric Lieberman on Tuesday, which reiterated the network's commitment to the previously established rules and asked both campaigns for their "formal acceptance" of these conditions.
Despite the Harris campaign's efforts to change the format, ABC News has remained steadfast in its decision to keep the microphones muted when a candidate is not speaking. This approach is intended to maintain order and ensure each candidate has uninterrupted speaking time during their allotted segments.
The network's refusal to alter the debate format at the last minute demonstrates its commitment to maintaining consistency and fairness in the high-stakes political event.
Political observers have speculated on the reasons behind the Harris campaign's push for unmuted microphones. Some believe it may be an attempt to create opportunities for viral moments or memorable exchanges during the debate.
Harris has previously garnered attention for her debate performances, including her "I'm speaking!" rebuke to then-Vice President Mike Pence in 2020 and her confrontation with Biden during the 2019 Democratic primary debates. These moments have proven beneficial for Harris in the past, even leading to campaign merchandise featuring her debate quotes.
The vice president's team, however, has framed their request as a matter of allowing for more direct engagement between the candidates. Brian Fallon, a spokesperson for Harris, expressed frustration with the situation and claimed that the Trump team was attempting to limit live sparring between the candidates.
ABC News has rejected Vice President Kamala Harris' request to change the debate rules, maintaining muted microphones for the September 10 event with former President Donald Trump. The network's decision upholds the format used in previous debates, ensuring consistency and fairness. This development has sparked discussions about debate strategies and campaign motivations, setting the stage for a closely watched political showdown in Philadelphia.
