The upcoming September 10 debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is facing uncertainty as the Harris campaign pushes for significant changes to the format, including a seated debate and the use of notes. The Trump campaign has rejected these demands, insisting that both sides had previously agreed to follow the same rules as the June 27 CNN debate.
Jason Miller, Trump’s senior adviser, expressed frustration over the proposed changes, stating, “The Harris camp, after having already agreed to the CNN rules, asked for a seated debate, with notes, and opening statements. We said no changes to the agreed upon rules.” Miller suggested that Harris’s team is looking for an easy way out, questioning her preparedness for a standard debate.
In addition to requesting a seated format and notes, the Harris campaign reportedly wants “hot mics” during the debate to capture any unguarded comments from Trump. Harris’s team argues that these changes would lead to a more organized discussion, but the Trump campaign views them as an attempt to avoid a real-time exchange.
Brian Fallon, a senior communications adviser for Harris, denied the accusations that the campaign was seeking to change the rules after agreeing to them, stating that all parties had accepted the standing, no-notes format. However, Fallon also hinted that the rules were not finalized, leaving the door open for further negotiation.
As the debate date approaches, the standoff over the format raises questions about whether the event will proceed as planned. Both campaigns appear dug in, with the final outcome likely to hinge on whether any compromise can be reached.
