When and Where Will the Harris-Trump Presidential Debate Take Place?

U.S. Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic rival Kamala Harris are set to face off next week in their first presidential debate since President Joe Biden exited the race.

This debate will provide approximately 240 million U.S. voters the opportunity to hear Trump and Harris present their policies in direct comparison ahead of the November 5 election, marking a rare instance where both candidates will be sharing the same stage.

Debate Details

Date and Location:
The debate, organized by ABC News, will occur on September 10 at 9 p.m. EDT in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is a key battleground state that could play a crucial role in determining this year’s election outcome. The venue, the National Constitution Center, focuses on the U.S. Constitution and is located in Independence Mall, which also features the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Viewing Options:
David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the debate. It will be broadcast on ABC and streamed on various platforms, including ABC News Live, Disney+, and Hulu. The event will also include collaboration with local Philadelphia network WPVI-TV.

Ground Rules:
Candidates’ microphones will be muted when they are not speaking. This rule was agreed upon by the Harris campaign after negotiations with the Trump campaign. Previous debates, such as the one held in June between Biden and Trump, also utilized muted microphones to maintain order, along with restrictions on props, a lack of a live audience, and designated commercial breaks.

Expectations for Harris:
Harris enters the debate with significant momentum, having announced over $500 million in fundraising since launching her campaign. Polls indicate she has surged ahead, particularly in national surveys, and voters are eager to learn more about her policy initiatives. Expected points of attack may include questioning Trump on his Supreme Court appointments that impacted reproductive rights, as well as drawing contrasts between her prosecutorial background and Trump’s legal issues. She aims to position herself as both a continuation of the Biden administration and a representative of a new generation.

Anticipations for Trump:
Trump has encountered challenges while formulating effective criticisms of Harris. He has labeled her a radical leftist and has periodically questioned her intelligence and identity. With Harris likely to be a tougher challenger than previous opponents, Trump might find himself on the defensive regarding factual matters and policy. He is expected to focus on issues that contributed to Biden’s decreased popularity, such as inflation and border security, while calling into question Harris’s readiness to be commander-in-chief. Trump may also revive criticisms of the Biden administration’s handling of international matters.

Potential Debate Topics:
The economy, particularly the issues surrounding high consumer prices, is expected to be a focal point. Both candidates have highlighted plans addressing taxes and health. Additionally, they share a rare common ground regarding the proposal to eliminate taxes on tipped income.

Third-Party Candidates:
Both candidates will engage without the presence of third-party candidates, as the deadline to qualify for participation has passed. Eligible candidates needed to be on a sufficient number of state ballots and achieve at least 15% support in four national polls.

The debate promises to be an engaging and pivotal moment in the current election cycle.