ABC News confirmed that microphones will remain muted during the upcoming presidential debate on September 10, despite a last-minute request from Vice President Kamala Harris to alter this rule.
The decision was detailed in a report by Breitbart News, which highlighted the network's commitment to the previously agreed upon debate format. This format had been established while President Joe Biden was still a contender, mandating that only the microphone of the speaker would be active during their allotted time.
The announcement comes amidst speculation about the Harris campaign's motives for requesting the rule change. Some observers suggest that the move may be an attempt to shift media focus away from the third anniversary of the Biden-Harris administration's Afghanistan withdrawal, which has been a subject of criticism.
When the debate was initially planned, both candidates, including then-candidate Joe Biden, agreed to two debates: one on CNN on June 27 and another on ABC on September 10. Biden had insisted on muted microphones throughout the debate, except for the speaking candidate's turn.
After Harris joined the race, both her campaign and Trump's campaign received ABC News's debate rules in writing. Both sides initially confirmed their participation in the network. However, last week, the Harris campaign requested that ABC News and other networks unmute candidates' microphones during the debate.
Trump maintained his opposition to this change, stating on Tuesday:
I have reached an agreement with the Radical Left Democrats for a Debate with Comrade Kamala Harris. It will be Broadcast Live on ABC FAKE NEWS, by far the nastiest and most unfair newscaster in the business, on Tuesday, September 10th, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The timing of Harris's request to change the debate rules has raised questions about the campaign's strategy. Some speculate that it could be an attempt to create a distraction from the upcoming anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal or to provide an "escape hatch" if Harris's performance in a scheduled CNN interview is poorly received.
A Trump ally remarked:
At this point, Team Harris is going to be taking an 'L' when they finally accept, as the debate rules aren't changing, or they'll take an even bigger 'L' if they back out of the debate because the Dana Bash/CNN interview goes poorly.
The Harris campaign has confirmed its stance on keeping microphones open. A source close to the discussions shared with Politico Playbook that Harris welcomes the opportunity to respond if she is interrupted during the debate.
The source noted that her opponent appears quite unsettled by her presence, which may lead to rash outbursts, and suggested that the campaign believes it's important for the audience to witness these reactions.
The decision to maintain muted microphones during the debate could have significant implications for both candidates' strategies. For Harris, it may limit opportunities for direct exchanges with Trump during his speaking time. For Trump, it ensures that his statements will not be interrupted by his opponent.
The muted microphone rule is designed to promote a more structured and orderly debate, allowing each candidate to present their views without interruption. However, it also removes the possibility of spontaneous interactions between the candidates, which some viewers find engaging.
ABC News's decision to maintain muted microphones for the September 10 presidential debate has settled a brief dispute between the Harris and Trump campaigns. The network's stance upholds the original agreement made when Joe Biden was still a candidate. This development comes amid speculation about the Harris campaign's motives for requesting the rule change. As the debate nears, both candidates will need to adapt their strategies to the confirmed format, potentially influencing the dynamics of this highly anticipated political event.
