Washington D.C., USA – With the upcoming September 10 debate on ABC fast approaching, the campaigns of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have hit a snag over the debate rules. According to a source familiar with the matter, both camps are at a stalemate regarding whether the candidates’ microphones should be muted while the other is not speaking – a point of contention that could impact the dynamics of the debate.
Trump’s team is advocating for muted microphones, citing the precedent set during the first debate with President Joe Biden. Conversely, the Harris campaign is pushing for live microphones, signaling a departure from their approach in the past.
Brian Fallon, senior adviser for communications for the Harris campaign, stated, “We have informed ABC and other networks that we believe both candidates’ microphones should remain live throughout the entire broadcast.” This stance showcases the differing viewpoints between the two campaigns on how the debate should be conducted.
Trump’s campaign has emphasized the importance of consistency, arguing that they agreed to the ABC debate under the same guidelines as previous debates. However, the clash over microphone rules has become a sticking point in the negotiations between the two camps.
In a social media post, Trump questioned his participation in the ABC debate due to his criticism of the network’s perceived biases. This public discourse adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate over the debate rules.
The microphone rules dispute, as initially reported by Politico, underscores the high stakes involved in the negotiations between the two campaigns. As the debate date approaches, tensions are running high as both sides seek to gain a strategic advantage in the upcoming showdown.