Former President Donald Trump has declared that he has reached an agreement with the Democratic campaign for a debate against Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump made this announcement through a statement on his social media platform, Truth Social, suggesting that previous disagreements over microphone muting have been resolved.

According to Daily Mail, this will mark the first time the two presidential nominees will share a stage. The debate is set to take place on September 10 in Philadelphia and will be broadcast on ABC.

Trump Agrees to Debate Despite ABC Tensions

In his statement, Trump outlined several rules for the debate, including that candidates will stand behind podiums and will not be allowed to use "cheat sheets." He also mentioned that ABC News has assured both sides of a "fair and equitable" debate, with neither side receiving questions in advance.

Trump criticized ABC News as "by far the nastiest and most unfair newscaster in the business" but indicated that the rules would be similar to those used in the previous CNN debate with President Joe Biden.

Trump's Statement And Debate Details

Trump's announcement on Truth Social referred to the agreement as being made with the "Radical Left Democrats" for a debate with "Comrade Kamala Harris."

He expressed disappointment that Harris would not agree to a Fox News debate on September 4, stating that the network and his campaign are keeping that date open in case she changes her mind.

The former president noted that the rules for the ABC debate would be the same as those used in the last CNN debate, which he felt "seemed to work out well for everyone except, perhaps, Crooked Joe Biden."

This reference alludes to the previous debate between Trump and Biden, which led to a series of events culminating in Biden's decision to drop out of the 2024 race and endorse Harris.

Trump's statement also hinted at the resolution of the microphone muting issue, which had been a point of contention between the campaigns. However, he did not provide specific details on how this would be handled during the debate.

Harris Campaign's Response And Microphone Dispute

While the Harris campaign has not yet confirmed the Vice President's participation in the debate, they released a statement earlier on Tuesday addressing the microphone issue.

Brian Fallon, Harris' senior advisor for communications, stated:

We have told ABC and other networks seeking to host a possible October debate that we believe both candidates' mics should be live throughout the full broadcast. Our understanding is that Trump's handlers prefer the muted microphone because they don't think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own.

The Harris team speculated that Trump might not be aware of the microphone dispute, suggesting it would be embarrassing for his team to admit they don't believe he can handle himself against Vice President Harris without the benefit of a mute button.

They emphasized that Harris is prepared to deal with Trump's "constant lies and interruptions in real time" and called on Trump to "stop hiding behind the mute button."

Impact On The Presidential Race

This debate announcement comes at a crucial time in the presidential race. Since becoming the Democratic presidential candidate, Harris has maintained a scripted approach, rarely stepping out from behind a podium or engaging in formal sit-down interviews or press conferences. The debate will provide an opportunity for voters to see both candidates engage directly on key issues.

The agreement on the debate format and rules may signal a shift in the campaign strategies of both sides. For Trump, it represents a chance to directly challenge his opponent on a national stage. For Harris, it offers an opportunity to demonstrate her readiness for the presidency and to address criticisms about her limited public engagements since becoming the nominee.

The outcome of this debate could significantly influence public perception and potentially sway undecided voters. As the first face-to-face encounter between the two candidates, it will likely set the tone for the remainder of the campaign season and provide valuable insights into their policy positions and leadership styles.

Conclusion

Trump's announcement of an agreement for a debate with Harris on ABC marks a significant moment in the 2024 presidential race. The debate, scheduled for September 10 in Philadelphia, will follow rules similar to the previous CNN debate with Biden. While the Harris campaign has not yet confirmed participation, they have expressed concerns about microphone muting. This event promises to be a pivotal moment for both candidates to present their visions for the country and engage directly with each other's policy positions.