Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will face off tonight in what could be a pivotal moment for the 2024 presidential election. The debate, hosted by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, will last 90 minutes, with no live audience and strict rules, including muted microphones when it’s not a candidate’s turn to speak. Moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis will control the conversation, as Trump and Harris will not be allowed to ask each other questions directly. Both candidates will have two minutes to answer each question, two minutes for rebuttals, and one minute for follow-ups. The debate will be simulcast across multiple networks, including CBS News, which will provide post-debate analysis.

Microphone muting became a point of contention, with the Harris campaign initially opposing the rule, saying it would stifle direct exchanges between the two candidates. However, they eventually agreed to the format, with a possibility that mics could be unmuted if crosstalk becomes an issue. Both campaigns have prepared extensively, with Harris undergoing mock debates and Trump opting for a more informal approach, including discussions with voters and media engagements. This debate marks their first face-to-face encounter in the 2024 campaign, and its outcome could significantly influence the race moving forward.

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