Kamala Harris’s Last-Minute Debate Request Rejected by ABC
Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has hit a roadblock as ABC News denied their request to modify the rules for her upcoming debate with former President Donald Trump, scheduled for September 10.
In a bid to alter the debate conditions, Harris’s team had pushed for the removal of a rule that mutes the microphone of the candidate not responding to a moderator’s question. This rule, initially implemented during Trump’s debate with President Joe Biden, was designed to prevent interruptions and ensure each candidate could speak without being talked over.
Harris’s campaign reportedly hoped that allowing open mics might lead Trump to interrupt and potentially damage his image in the eyes of viewers. However, ABC executives made it clear that the rules established for the Biden-Trump debate on CNN would remain in place for the Harris-Trump showdown. This decision means that Trump’s mic will be muted when it’s not his turn to speak, and the same rule will apply to Harris.
The debate, set to take place at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, will follow a strict set of guidelines. According to a network email reviewed by The New York Post, the rules include no audience presence, no pre-written notes or props, and the use of muted microphones. Candidates will only be allowed a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water while on stage.
The negotiations around these rules have sparked criticism, particularly from Republicans who view the attempts to alter the format as a strategy to trap Trump. Despite the pushback, ABC News, through Chief Counsel Eric Lieberman, informed both campaigns that the debate would adhere to the established muted microphone protocol, requesting formal agreement from both sides.
This decision comes amid a broader conversation about media bias and the portrayal of political figures. Earlier this week, HBO’s “Real Time” host Bill Maher took aim at CNN for what he described as overly favorable coverage of Harris’s Democratic National Convention acceptance speech. During a segment with CNN host Kaitlan Collins, Maher criticized the network for appearing overwhelmingly left-leaning, a perception shared by many conservative viewers.
Maher pointed to a moment on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” where the audience laughed at the suggestion that CNN simply reports the news without bias. He also noted the lack of conservative representation in CNN’s post-speech analysis, jokingly referring to contributor Scott Jennings as “Lonely Scott.”
Collins defended her network, insisting that CNN provides a platform for voices from both sides of the political aisle. She emphasized her commitment to holding all politicians accountable, regardless of party affiliation.
As the debate date approaches, both campaigns are preparing under the agreed-upon rules, setting the stage for what promises to be a highly anticipated and closely watched event.