US Presidential Debate: Donald Trump and Kamala Harris to Debate in Thrilling Battle

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his Democratic counterpart Kamala Harris will take part in the crucial US presidential debate hosted worldwide by ABC Networks. The presidential debate will take place exactly 8 weeks before Election Day in the United States.

The US presidential debate could be a defining moment for both candidates, as the latest polls show Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in a neck-and-neck battle for the top position.

The debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will be their first and likely only debate. The clash could prove crucial for both participants in the fierce battle for the White House.

Tens of millions of viewers in the United States and millions more around the world will tune in to watch the debate at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, or ET (1:00 a.m. GMT, 6:30 a.m. IST).

The significance of the debate and its timing can be seen in the fact that early voting in a significant number of states begins just days after the televised debate. The contest is so intense that even a small misstep can lead to a major swing in either direction.

The meeting is especially important for Kamala Harris as recent polls have shown that more than a quarter of likely voters in the United States feel they don’t know enough about the vice president, unlike former President Donald Trump.

THE BATTLE

The globally televised debate will provide Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor, with an opportunity to make her case and corner Donald Trump. His felony convictions, outspoken support for supporters convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and his frequent lies all provide ample fertile ground.

In recent weeks, Donald Trump has also made personal attacks on Kamala Harris, including racist and sexist insults.

Kamala Harris, 59, who has a significant lead among female voters according to the most recent polls, is expected to press Donald Trump on reproductive rights after he made several seemingly contradictory comments recently about abortion rights.

Donald Trump, 78, meanwhile, will try to corner Kamala Harris, the current vice president, on issues including the economy, immigration and inflation.

The ABC News debate is scheduled for 90 minutes and will be held without an audience. There are also a number of established rules for the debate.

THE CANDIDATES, THE PREPARATION

Kamala Harris is America’s first female, Black and Indian-American vice president. Ms. Harris arrived in Philadelphia a day before the debate, after spending five days in a Pittsburgh hotel in an intensive training session.

Donald Trump’s team says he is taking a more relaxed approach ahead of his seventh presidential debate. He arrived in Philadelphia just hours before the start and kept his preparations to a minimum.

The debate will certainly feature a contrast in styles from both candidates, but will likely be a low-key debate with rules stating that both candidates’ microphones will be muted when they are not speaking. This was done at the request of the Trump team.

Although Donald Trump has participated in six previous presidential debates, this is the first time Kamala Harris has done so.

The 90-minute debate will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.