Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are set to face off in a high-stakes televised debate on Tuesday, a crucial moment less than two months before the US presidential election.
With tens of millions of American voters expected to tune in at 9:00 pm Eastern Time (0100 GMT Wednesday), the debate could be a game-changer. This first—and possibly only—debate comes as both candidates are neck-and-neck in the polls ahead of the November 5 vote.
For Harris, 59, this is a key opportunity to connect with voters who may not yet be familiar with her, especially after her recent transition from vice president to presidential candidate following President Joe Biden’s sudden departure in July.
Trump, 78, will aim to challenge Harris on issues such as the economy and immigration, while potentially continuing his campaign’s pattern of controversial remarks.
Harris, who holds a strong lead among female voters, is expected to target Trump on reproductive rights, particularly after his recent inconsistent statements on abortion.
The debate, taking place at ABC News in Philadelphia, will be their first face-to-face meeting, heightening the potential for a contentious exchange. The debate will last 90 minutes and will be held without an audience, with microphones muted when not in use, as requested by Trump’s team.
Harris has been preparing intensively, arriving in Philadelphia the day before the debate after days of rigorous practice. Trump’s approach has been more relaxed, with his team noting that he has kept his preparations minimal.
The debate is anticipated to be a defining moment, contrasting Harris’s prosecutorial precision and previous debate performances with Trump’s unorthodox style. Harris has warned that Trump may resort to falsehoods, while Trump’s team compares preparing for him to facing a top boxer in the ring.
Harris faces pressure to clarify her policy positions following a recent New York Times/Siena poll showing her trailing slightly behind Trump. She will need to address voters’ requests for more detailed information about her plans.
Trump, with more debate experience, could impact swing voters negatively if he resorts to personal attacks. The debate follows a notable decline in Biden’s previous performance, which led to his withdrawal from the race.
The vice presidential candidates—Democrat Tim Walz and Republican J.D. Vance—are scheduled to debate on October 1.