Trump and Harris Campaigns Clash Over Debate Microphone Rules

The Donald Trump and Kamala Harris campaigns are debating whether to mute one of the microphones when it is the other person’s turn to speak during the pair’s next debate next month.

The Harris campaign told the BBC’s US partner CBS News that it wanted both candidates’ mics to be live during the show.

The Trump campaign allegedly wants the ABC debate, slated for September 10, to follow the same standards agreed upon when Joe Biden was the Democratic candidate. That would require the microphones to be muted.

The apparent standoff comes as the former president questions the network’s neutrality and suggests he may boycott the debate.

Politico initially reported the standoff in negotiations between the two campaigns.

Before President Joe Biden stepped aside as the Democratic Party’s nominee, his team agreed to participate in two debates, one held in June on CNN and one scheduled for September on ABC News.

The Biden campaign negotiated debate rules and agreed that the microphone would be muted anytime a contender did not speak.

The Trump campaign agreed to the restriction, which was implemented for the June CNN debate.

However, with only 15 days until the ABC News debate in Philadelphia, the Harris campaign wants the mics to be “hot” – which means they will never be switched off during the debate.

This would allow both candidates to interrupt and speak over each other during the debate.

“The Vice President is prepared to deal with Trump’s incessant lies and disruptions in real time. “Trump should stop hiding behind the mute button,” Harris campaign communications adviser Brian Fallon said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Trump told reporters on Monday that he would have preferred to have the microphones turned on during the debate, but that it “worked out fine” when they were muted on stage with Mr. Biden.

“We agreed to the same rules and same specifications and I think that’s probably what it should be, but they’re trying to change it,” he told me. “The truth is, they’re attempting to avoid the situation because she doesn’t want to debate. “She is not a good debater.”

In a statement to Politico, Trump’s campaign restated the former president’s assertion that Ms Harris was searching for a way to avoid the discussion.

“Enough of the games. Senior Trump aide Jason Miller told Politico, “We accepted the ABC debate on the same terms as the CNN debate.” “After agreeing to CNN’s standards, the Harris campaign requested a sitting debate with notes and opening speeches. We stated that there would be no revisions to the agreed-upon rules.

According to CBS News, a Harris campaign official who was queried about the Trump campaign’s assertions said they were “100% false”.

On Sunday, Trump questioned whether the ABC News journalists moderating the debate would give the Harris campaign advance notice of the questions.

“Why would I do the debate against Kamala Harris on that network?” he asked.

The former president has already stated that he may withdraw from a discussion. Earlier this month, Trump stated that he would only face Harris if it was hosted by Fox News. He reversed his course many days later.

Meanwhile, as the November 5 election approaches, the Harris campaign says it has raised $540 million since Biden stepped down, according to the Associated Press. Harris experienced record-breaking fundraising statistics after Mr Biden dropped out of the campaign.

In contrast, the Trump campaign raised $138.7 million in July and currently has $327 million in cash on hand.

Source: BBC