Kamala Harris’s campaign is reportedly pushing for changes to the upcoming ABC debate scheduled for September 10, including allowing candidates to be seated and use notes during the event. This request comes despite an earlier agreement between the campaigns to follow the same rules as the June 27 CNN debate. The Trump campaign has criticized these proposed adjustments, accusing Harris’s team of backtracking.
Jason Miller, a senior adviser for Trump, responded sharply, stating, “The Harris camp, after having already agreed to the CNN rules, asked for a seated debate, with notes, and opening statements. We said no changes to the agreed upon rules.” Miller added that the requests indicate Harris is uncomfortable with the debate format and may be seeking an easier way out.
The Harris campaign has also expressed interest in using “hot mics” during the debate, hoping to catch Trump in off-the-cuff remarks that could be damaging. In response, Miller questioned Harris’s ability to debate without such tactics, suggesting her reluctance to engage directly reveals a lack of confidence.
Brian Fallon, a senior communications adviser for Harris, pushed back against these claims, insisting that all three parties—Trump, Harris, and ABC—had agreed to the original debate format. However, Fallon also hinted that the debate rules were never fully settled, leaving room for discussion.
As the September 10 debate looms, the dispute highlights the high stakes and strategic maneuvering taking place behind the scenes. Whether the candidates can agree on the final rules could determine how, or even if, the debate proceeds as planned.
