Staff Reports
The political stage is set for a showdown, and it features Vice President Kamala Harris squaring off against former President Donald Trump in the highly anticipated presidential debate on Tuesday. ABC News is pulling out all the stops with anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis serving as moderators at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia—an iconic venue for what promises to be a clash full of fireworks.
This debate marks the first time Harris and Trump will face each other since the aftermath of the January 6 events, and considering Trump’s absence at Biden’s inauguration, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Meanwhile, the last debate between President Joe Biden and Trump took place on CNN back in June, and let’s just say it was a rough outing for Biden. Viewers were treated to his stammering, an array of befuddled expressions, and responses that sometimes forgot to even directly address the questions posed. The half-hearted performance quickly spiraled into a melodrama within the Democrat ranks, ultimately culminating in Biden deciding to step away from the campaign trail in July.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Former President Donald Trump and VP Kamala Harris are set to meet face-to-face for the ABC News Presidential Debate. Live at 9p ET on ABC, Disney+, Hulu and ABC News Live on your favorite streaming platform.
How to watch: https://t.co/QdWEjgyPId pic.twitter.com/TwaLJrJdsA
— ABC News (@ABC) September 7, 2024
As for the debate procedure, ABC is following the same playbook from the earlier encounter. No notes, no outside help, and muted microphones for each candidate while the other speaks. This designed structure ensures that every answer—and, let’s be honest, every awkward moment—will play out bare for viewers’ delight. Harris and Trump will be permitted only a pen, paper, and a bottle of water at their podiums, providing an atmosphere reminiscent not of a political discourse, but a high-stakes game of mental speed chess.
The debate begins at 9 p.m. Eastern, which means eager viewers across the country will have ample time to prepare their snacks and settle in for what is likely going to be a rollercoaster of rhetoric. For those experiencing connectivity issues due to DirecTV’s ongoing negotiations with Disney, fear not: with CBS, CNN, Fox News, and other major networks set to simulcast the event, there are plenty of options for catching the inevitably spicy exchanges.
Looking ahead, the anticipation continues to build for the upcoming vice presidential debate between Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. J.D. Vance on October 1. CBS News has been tapped to host this contest, ensuring that the political fireworks will continue well into autumn. Both campaigns have agreed to a second debate, likely to take place in October, but exact details are still under wraps. As the debates unfold, the American public will be glued to their screens, keeping a close eye on who can deliver the most impactful blows and earn their ticket to the next round in this high-stakes political game.
