Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie offered some sage advice to Kamala Harris ahead of her debate with Trump tonight.

Christie helped the former president prepare for debates in 2016 and 2020 before their relationship descended into open hostility and bitter personal insults.

This weekend, the Republican advised Harris to use Trump’s lack of preparation to her advantage.

He also said she had to “charm” the American people.

“She needs to show she’s not the 24-hour leaf blower that he is,” Christie told ABC on Sunday.

“There’s a way you can be nice, smart and tough at the same time – that’s the charm.”

Madeline Sherratt has more.

Donald Trump’s supporters are hoping today’s debate will change the campaign narrative and end the “honeymoon” Kamala Harris has enjoyed since she rose to the top of the Democratic ticket.

Here’s more of it Alex Lang.

The rules being followed tonight are largely standard for US presidential debates, although the originally agreed rules could theoretically put Kamala Harris at a slight disadvantage, given her different skillset than Joe Biden, on whose behalf the rules were originally drafted.

Here is Ariana Baio‘s report on the rules for today’s debate and who benefits from it.

Tonight’s showdown will of course be broadcast live on ABC, but will also be simulcast on a number of other American networks, including C-Span, PBS, MSNBC and Fox News. The show can also be streamed online via ABC’s website and YouTube channel, and via Disney+ and Hulu.

If you are interested in watching the broadcast in the UK, Channel 4 is the place to go. You can also follow our coverage here for the best commentary and the latest developments.

The Trump-Harris debate will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia at 9 p.m. ET, which is 8 p.m. CT and 6 p.m. PT.

In the UK it’s 2am, so make yourself comfortable.

Tonight’s match will be hosted by ABC hosts David Muir and Linsey Davis.

They have indicated that they will not share the questions or topics up for discussion with the candidates in advance of Tuesday’s broadcast.

The Republican presidential candidate will attempt to associate his Democratic rival with the perceived policy shortcomings of the Joe Biden administration, hoping to blame it for illegal immigration at America’s southern border and the high cost of living as the U.S. economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vice President Harris, a veteran prosecutor and former California attorney general, hopes to draw attention to Trump’s disastrous record as president, his culpability for inspiring the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and his long history of lawlessness, dishonesty and dysfunction.

After much wrangling, the two candidates agreed to the same rules for tonight’s meeting on ABC News that Trump and President Biden used during the first debate on June 27, ultimately ending the commander in chief’s bid for a second term.

That means microphones must be muted, there are no pre-written notes, no live audience, and no talking to campaign staff during commercial breaks.

Hello and welcome to The Independentlive broadcast of the run-up to the first (and perhaps only) presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris of the 2024 election cycle, which promises to be a defining moment in the race for the White House.