Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will face off on Tuesday night in a presidential debate, the pair’s first – and possibly only – matchup before the November election. It’s widely seen as a crucial moment in the 2024 campaign, where both candidates are currently neck and neck in the polls.
The US vice-president is likely to use the 90-minute debate as an opportunity to provide more detail on her campaign promises, and further her pitch as a candidate separate from Joe Biden. Trump’s campaign is hoping the “happy” version of the former president will turn up.
In a tight race that could be decided by a tiny fraction of the country, even a marginal boost for either candidate could be significant. The debate comes just 55 days before the election on 5 November.
Here’s what else to know about tonight’s presidential debate.
When is the Harris-Trump debate?
The debate is scheduled to begin at 9pm ET on Tuesday 10 September (that’s 8pm CT, 7pm MT or 6pm PT).
Where is the debate held?
It will take place at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, an institution dedicated to the study of the US constitution. Pennsylvania is a critical political battleground state in the 2024 election.
How long is the debate?
The debate is 90 minutes – the same duration as the Biden-Trump debate in June. There will be two commercial breaks.
How to follow the Harris-Trump presidential debate in the US
The debate will air live on ABC channels beginning at 9pm ET. ABC will stream the debate for free live on their website, app and on Disney+ and Hulu. Major news networks are likely to carry the debate in prime time. PBS will have live coverage beginning at 9pm ET of the debate.
The Guardian has a team of reporters in Philadelphia and will be streaming and covering the debate in a live blog and through live analysis and news.
How to watch the debate outside the US
In the UK, BBC will carry the debate and Channel 4 will broadcast live coverage. (The debate kicks off at 2am in the UK.)
In Australia, the debate will be available on Channel 9 and 9Now and will be available on SBS. It begins at 11am Sydney time.
Who is moderating the debate?
The ABC anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis will serve as moderators for the debate. Muir is the host of ABC World News Tonight, and Davis anchors World News Tonight on Sundays.
What are the debate rules?
The Trump and Harris campaigns had been in dispute over the debate guidelines. The Harris campaign had previously pushed for live, or “hot”, microphones, arguing that it would “fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates”. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign had been pressing for them to be turned off, as was the case in the first debate with Biden.
A statement from ABC made clear that microphones for both candidates will be muted during the debate when their opponent is speaking.
The other rules ABC News said had been agreed upon with the two sides include:
No opening statements, and closing statements will be two minutes per candidate
Candidates will stand behind podiums for the duration of the debate
Props and prewritten notes are not allowed on stage
No topics or questions will be shared in advance
Candidates will not be permitted to ask questions of each other
Candidates will have two minutes to answer questions, two minutes for rebuttals and one extra minute for follow-ups, clarifications or responses. After winning a virtual coin toss, Trump opted to give the second closing remarks; Harris selected the right podium position on the screen, meaning Trump will be on the left.
What else to know
Kamala Harris will be joined by her husband, Doug Emhoff, sister Maya Harris and her husband, Tony West, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia tonight, NBC News reported.
Donald Trump will be joined by his eldest son, Eric Trump, and his wife and the Republican National Committee chair, Lara Trump, according to CNN. It’s unclear whether Melania Trump will attend.
What’s next on the election calendar?
JD Vance and Tim Walz, the nominees for vice-president, are scheduled to take part in a debate on 1 October. The vice-presidential debate will be hosted by CBS News and will take place in New York City.
It is unclear whether Harris and Trump will participate in a second debate.
Read more about the 2024 US election:
Harris-Trump debate – live updates
Harris and Trump make final preparations for crucial debate
