All eyes will be on US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump as they face their first televised debate tonight. Although not the first TV debate of the campaign, it is the first time this pair have met or locked horns in the run-up to the 5 November election, and there is much riding on it.
President Joe Biden dropped out of the race after a disastrous appearance in the first televised exchange in June this year. His Vice President is now the Democrats’ chosen candidate, and some national polls suggest she is slightly ahead of Trump. But it is too close to call who November’s winner will be at this stage. So audiences in the US and around the world will be watching this debate closely.
UK Start Time and Broadcast Details
The Trump vs Harris debate on Tuesday 10 September is set to begin at 9pm (local time), which is 2am British Summer Time (BST). It is being held at the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia, located in the heart of the key election battleground Pennsylvania. Broadcast live on US network ABC, it can also be streamed live on ABC News Live, Disney+, and CNN.com.
In addition, UK viewers will be able to watch it live on the BBC News channel and on the BBC News website. Channel 4 will air live coverage of the debate from 1.30am – 4am, with former Washington correspondent Matt Frei hosting.
Debate Rules and Moderators
World News Tonight anchor and managing editor David Muir and ABC News Live Prime host Linsey Davis will serve as the moderators in the 90-minute debate, which will include two ad breaks and no studio audience.
The rules of engagement are strict: only the moderators can ask questions, each candidate’s microphone will be turned on only when it is their turn to speak, and there will be no opening statements. Closing statements will be two minutes per candidate, and Trump won the coin toss to select giving the last closing statement. Candidates will stand behind podiums for the duration of the debate. Props and prewritten notes are not allowed on stage, and no topics or questions have been shared with campaigns or candidates in advance. Candidates will be given only a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water.
The format allows two minutes for answers, two minutes for rebuttals, and one minute for follow-ups, clarifications, or responses. Campaign staff may not interact with candidates during commercial breaks, and the moderators will enforce the timing agreements to ensure a civilised discussion.
What to Expect from the Debate
This debate represents a significant opportunity for Kamala Harris to define her stance on various issues as she steps out of President Biden’s shadow. For Donald Trump, age becomes a disadvantage at 78, compared to his 59-year-old rival.
Former lawyer Harris is expected to bring up Trump’s criminal cases and the controversial issues from his previous presidency. In turn, Trump is likely to lay the blame for current problems in the US at Harris’s door. These 90 minutes could be pivotal for both candidates, as key moments from the night might go viral and significantly impact voter opinion.
Future Debates and Campaign Strategies
This debate is the only other scheduled televised encounter between Trump and Harris before the November election. After the Trump and Biden debate on CNN at the end of June, only one more televised encounter had been secured, with ABC News in September. Harris will now take Biden’s place in the debate.
Four election debates, sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates, were initially planned for September and October, but the format and schedule were opposed by both parties, leading to alternative dates and formats. Trump has called for at least two more televised debates before the November election. The Harris campaign has said it will decide on any future debates after the ABC News debate.
Additionally, a vice-presidential election debate will be held on CBS News on Tuesday, 1 October, between Democrat Tim Walz and Republican JD Vance. This will be another significant event leading up to the November election, offering further insights into the strategies and policies of the candidates.
