ABC presidential debate rules show microphones will be muted, but Harris camp is still pushing back

ABC News intends to mute the microphones of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris while their opponent speaks during an upcoming presidential debate, according to a copy of the formal rules obtained by CNN, but the Harris campaign is continuing to push back on the final sticking point.

ABC News intends to mute the microphones of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris while their opponent speaks during an upcoming presidential debate, according to a copy of the formal rules obtained by CNN, but the Harris campaign is continuing to push back on the final sticking point. “Candidate microphones will be live only for the candidate whose turn it is to speak, and muted when time belongs to another candidate,” ABC stated in the debate rules sent to the campaigns on Tuesday. While the Trump campaign has accepted the rules governing the Sep. 10 matchup, Harris’ campaign said it remains in ongoing discussions with the network about the microphone issue. “Our latest understanding is that even though Trump said Monday he would be fine with an unmuted mic, his handlers don’t trust him to spar live with VP Harris and are asking ABC to ignore Trump’s comments and keep the mics muted or else they will back out of the debate for a third time,” Harris campaign senior advisor Brian Fallon said in a post on X. “We have been asked to accede to Trump’s handlers’ wishes on this point for the sake of preserving the debate. We find the Trump’s team’s stance to be weak, and remain in discussions with ABC on the final rules.” Fallon added that the rules sent to the campaigns were “a draft” that both sides must still reach an agreement on. “We have not done so because we think both candidates have expressed a clear desire to have hot mics,” he said. “Not clear why Trump staff is overruling their principal, who should be capable of making up his own mind.”