Kamala Harris wants to sit, use cheat sheet during September 10 debate with Trump
Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly demanding a seated format and to use a cheat sheet for some answers when she debates former President Donald Trump on ABC on September 10.
Politico reported that the Harris campaign also wants microphones to remain on for the entire debate rather than be muted while it is the other candidate's turn to speak, as was the rule for the June 15 debate.
“We agreed to the same rules — same rules, same specifications,” Trump noted, for his Sept. 10 debate with Harris. “And I think that’s probably what it should be.”
“Enough with the games. We accepted the ABC debate under the exact same terms as the CNN debate. 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,” senior adviser for Trump Jason Miller told Playbook. “If Kamala Harris isn’t smart enough to repeat the messaging points her handlers want her to memorize, that’s their problem. This seems to be a pattern for the Harris campaign. They won’t allow Harris to do interviews, they won’t allow her to do press conferences, and now they want to give her a cheat-sheet for the debate. My guess is that they’re looking for a way to get out of any debate with President Trump.”
"We never sought otherwise"
Politico pushed back on whether the Harris campaign agreed to abide by the same rules that were set for the Biden-Trump campaign, however.
Harris campaign’s senior adviser for communications Brian Fallon also said that Harris never asked for a seated format or a cheat sheet (notes).
“All three parties (Trump, Harris and ABC) have agreed to standing and no notes, and we never sought otherwise,” Fallon said.
As for the microphone muting, he suggested that it was a Trump campaign request because of Trump's habit of spontaneous outbursts and talking over other candidates when it was their turn to speak.
"Stop hiding behind the mute button"
Microphone muting began during the second debate between Trump and Biden in 2020 after Trump talked over and interrupted Biden constantly during the first debate.
“Trump’s handlers prefer the muted microphone because they don’t think their candidate can act presidential for 90 minutes on his own,” Fallon said.
Harris “is ready to deal with Trump’s constant lies and interruptions in real time," he added. "Trump should stop hiding behind the mute button.”
In somewhat of a contradiction, Trump said he'd "probably rather have it on," referring to the microphones.
"Stay tuned!"
Trump also posted on Truth Social that he was disgusted with an ABC News panel that repeatedly attacked him on Sunday, which has made him question whether to debate on the network.
"I watched ABC FAKE NEWS this morning, both lightweight reporter Jonathan Carl’s(K?) ridiculous and biased interview of Tom Cotton (who was fantastic!), and their so-called Panel of Trump Haters, and I ask, why would I do the Debate against Kamala Harris on that network?" he asked, adding, "Stay tuned!"