The debate is set for Sept. 10.
The final rules for the upcoming debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are still being discussed, according to spokesman Brian Fallon on Aug. 29.
Fallon mentioned on social media platform X that the Trump campaign proposed to have microphones muted when one candidate is speaking, a suggestion that the Harris campaign finds weak. Discussions with ABC regarding the final rules are ongoing.
Originally, the Sept. 10 debate was supposed to feature President Joe Biden and Trump. However, after Biden exited the 2024 race following the first debate, Harris was chosen by Democrats to take his place on the ticket.
Trump agreed to debate Harris, but disagreements have arisen over the rules, particularly regarding whether the microphones should be on throughout the debate or only when each candidate is speaking.
In the previous debate, both Trump and Biden had their microphones muted when not speaking.
Trump noted in a recent statement that he preferred to have the microphones on but agreed to the same setup as the last debate. Fallon responded by stating that the Harris campaign preferred live microphones, a stance that the Trump campaign interpreted as an attempt to change the established rules.
Trump confirmed on his Truth Social platform that the rules for the ABC debate would mirror those of the first debate, which aired on CNN.
Rules for the debate include standing candidates, no notes or cheat sheets, and no advance questions given to either side.
While Trump has suggested another debate on Fox News, the Harris campaign has not confirmed participation in that event. No additional debates are currently scheduled between Trump and Harris.
Early voting is set to begin on Sept. 16 in several states, with Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the respective running mates of Trump and Harris, scheduled to debate on Oct. 1.
