Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will face off in their first debate on Tuesday, with less than two months until voters cast their votes for president on Election Day.
Both nationally and in the key swing states, the Democratic vice president and the Republican former president are still in a close contest.
They will meet for the first time and only the second time in the same room during the primetime duel on ABC News.
This is not the campaign's first debate. In June, A few weeks before the president's withdrawal from the campaign, Trump took on Joe Biden on stage.
Strict guidelines will govern the debate, such as no audience, no prepared notes, and muted microphones other than when the contestants are speaking. Trump decided to make the final closing remarks after winning the coin toss.
Where and when will the debate take place?
On Tuesday, September 10, the debate starts at 21:00 EDT (02:00 BST). It is broadcast live from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the US network ABC. There won't be an audience present, and the program will run for 90 minutes with two commercial breaks.
The BBC News channel will broadcast it live. Via our live page, you may watch on the BBC News website and app.
As part of our live coverage, the BBC will have a team of reporters in Washington and Philadelphia who will offer analysis, fact-checking, and comments.
Predefined Rules
ABC World News Tonight's moderators will be Linsey Davis and anchor David Muir. Since the microphones will be muted while neither candidate speaks, they won't have to worry about the two candidates interrupting one another.
After their contentious 2020 debate, those were the guidelines for Trump and Biden's debate earlier this year.
According to her team, the current arrangement "shields Donald Trump from direct exchanges with the vice-president," so Ms. Harris hoped to keep the microphones on throughout.
Trump will have the final word during the debate
Ms. Harris agreed to show on the right side of viewers' TV screens, and Trump will have the final say during the discussion that follows.
Props and pre-written notes will not be permitted on stage, and candidates or their campaigns will not be given advance notice of any themes or questions.
During commercial breaks, neither candidate will be able to communicate with campaign personnel and will only have a pen, a notebook, and a water bottle. Neither is allowed to leave their platforms, as Trump did in his 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton.
This will be the first of potentially two debates between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election.
Debates Key to Shaping Voter Perception in Harris-Trump Race
Presidential debates are crucial campaign events that have the power to change the outcome of the contest, as seen by the aftermath of Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance, which ultimately caused him to withdraw from the race.
With soundbites being played repeatedly and videos going viral, it's a rare opportunity for candidates to win over voters.
For Kamala Harris, who has thus far mostly stuck to prearranged appearances during her campaign, this will be especially crucial.
According to recent Siena College polling for the New York Times, which was released on Sunday, many voters are still unsure about her identity and principles.
Both nationally and in the swing states that will determine the outcome, the contest between her and Trump is still very tight.
How are the Candidates preparing?
According to the New York Times, Ms. Harris is preparing with the assistance of Washington attorney Karen Dunn, who has been assisting Democratic lawmakers with debate preparation for almost 20 years.
Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic contender, told the newspaper that Dunn, who frequently defends tech corporations in court, works with "tough love."
"She’s unafraid to say, ‘That’s not going to work’... But she also offers encouragement," remarked Clinton.
According to reports, Philippe Reines, a senior Clinton aide who represented Trump in her simulated debates, is taking over for Ms. Harris.
According to his campaign, Trump has adopted a different strategy that has included some voter outreach. He was also trying to improve the "theatrics" of his debate performance, one adviser told the BBC.
Will there be any more debates?
On 1 October, running candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz will participate in a single vice-presidential debate on CBS News.
However, the circumstances of any upcoming encounters between Trump and Ms. Harris have not been agreed upon by the presidential settlements. At least two others have been requested by Trump. In particular, he supports a confrontation on more amicable terms, with a sizable live audience and Fox News serving as the moderator.
Following the conclusion of their first debate, the Harris campaign has stated that it will consider holding a second debate in October.
The non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), which has overseen these events since 1988, has been sidelined in favour of the TV networks dealing directly with the campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the date of the Harris vs. Trump presidential debate?
The debate will take place on Tuesday, September 10, between Harris and Trump.
2. At what time does the Harries vs. Trump debate start?
The debate between Harris and Trump starts at 21:00 EDT (02:00 BST) on Tuesday, 10 September.
3. Which TV network will broadcast the debate?
The famous news channel ABC News covered the whole event and broadcast it live publicly.
