ABC News has denied a request from Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign to keep microphones live during the upcoming presidential debate with former President Donald Trump.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, the network is finalizing debate rules that will mute candidates' microphones when it is not their turn to speak.

The debate, scheduled for September 10th in Philadelphia, will follow similar protocols to the June CNN debate between Trump and President Joe Biden. ABC News is asking both campaigns to agree to the full set of rules, which include keeping microphones off when the opposing candidate is speaking.

Harris Campaign's Last-Minute Request Denied

The Harris campaign had made an eleventh-hour push to reverse the microphone rule, arguing that keeping mics live could allow Trump to make an unforced error.

Campaign advisors suggested Trump lacked the ability to act "presidential" for a full 90-minute debate if microphones remained on.

However, ABC News rejected this proposal, opting to maintain the muted microphone policy used in previous debates. The network aims to enforce time limits and maintain a "civilized discussion" between the candidates.

Brian Fallon, an advisor to the Harris campaign, commented on the mic issue:

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.

Debate Rules And Format Revealed

The 90-minute debate will take place at Philadelphia's National Constitution Center with no live audience present. ABC News anchors David Muir, and Linsey Davis will serve as moderators.

Key rules for the debate include two-minute answers followed by two-minute responses and one-minute follow-ups. There will be no opening statements, but candidates will be allowed two-minute closing statements. Candidates must stand behind podiums and cannot wander the stage.

No props or pre-written notes are permitted during the debate. Candidates will receive only a pen, pad of paper, and a water bottle. These rules aim to ensure a fair and focused discussion between the candidates.

Trump Campaign Pushes Back On Rule Changes

The Trump campaign has pushed back against alleged attempts by the Harris team to alter other debate rules. Trump campaign advisor Corey Lewandowski claimed that Harris's team tried to pressure ABC to allow candidates to bring prepared notes on stage.

Lewandowski also asserted that Harris, who stands at 5'4", wanted to be seated instead of standing behind podiums opposite the 6'3" former president. However, the Harris-Walz campaign denied these claims about rule change requests.

Trump himself had initially threatened to withdraw from the debate over the microphone issue, questioning why he would participate on ABC.

However, he later indicated he was comfortable with mics being left on despite his team having previously negotiated the muted mic rule with Biden's campaign.

Candidates Prepare For High-Stakes Showdown

Both campaigns recognize the critical importance of this debate, occurring just over a week before the election. Harris has eschewed extensive post-convention travel, instead focusing on debate preparation with a short bus tour in Georgia.

Trump is taking his own approach to debate readiness, giving a series of interviews to prepare for potential questions. The former president has spoken about the debate's significance while continuing his active campaign schedule.

The debate represents a key moment for Harris to introduce herself to voters on a national stage. Meanwhile, Trump aims to regain momentum after trailing in recent polls following the Democratic convention.

Conclusion

ABC News has finalized debate rules rejecting the Harris campaign's request for live microphones. The September 10th showdown in Philadelphia will follow similar protocols to previous debates, with muted mics when candidates are not speaking. Both campaigns are intensively preparing for this high-stakes event that could significantly impact the final weeks of the presidential race. The debate's outcome may prove crucial in swaying undecided voters as election day approaches.