How ABC’s Presidential Debate Will Work as Harris Campaign Accepts Rules

The rules have been set for next week’s presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

ABC News on Wednesday released guidelines for the September 10 debate, which will be moderated by the network’s David Muir and Linsey Davis and feature 90 minutes of debate time, marking the 2024 candidates’ first faceoff.

The guidelines were released a few minutes after Reuters reported that Harris had accepted the network’s debate rules, according to a source familiar with the matter. The vice president’s team had pushed for the microphones to be left on throughout the debate, contrary to moderators’ plans to mute a candidate’s microphone when it isn’t their turn to speak. Trump’s team had pushed back on Harris’ request, arguing that the candidates already agreed to have the same rules as the June 27 debate between Trump and President Joe Biden.

ABC said that a virtual coin toss was held on Tuesday to determine the candidates’ podium placement and the order of closing statements. Trump won the toss and chose to offer the final closing statement, while Harris chose to stand at the podium positioned on the right side of viewers’ screens.

There will be no live audience at the event, which will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Both candidates will stand throughout the duration of the debate and no props or pre-written notes are allowed, per ABC.

Each candidate will have two minutes to answer moderators’ questions, and will be given a two-minute rebuttal to respond to their opponents’ answers. There will be no opening statements, and closing statements will also be given a two-minute slot.

The debate will air at 9 p.m. EST September 10 on ABC News’ live 24/7 streaming network, as well as Disney+ and Hulu. ABC station WPVI will also show the event.

This is a developing story and will be updated as further information becomes available.