Donald Trump announces debate deal with Kamala Harris for September 10, but...

Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has rejected claims made by Republican rival Donald Trump regarding a scheduled debate. On Tuesday, Trump asserted that an agreement had been reached for a debate on September 10, with the rules mirroring those of his previous debate with President Joe Biden on June 27. However, Harris's campaign officials have indicated that discussions with the host network, ABC, are still ongoing.

Trump’s Assertion on Debate Rules

In a social media post, Trump stated that the upcoming debate would follow the same format as his June 27 debate with Biden. He highlighted that the debate would be "stand up," prohibiting the use of notes or "cheat sheets," and assured that neither side would receive the questions in advance. Trump’s post did not mention that the CNN debate had no live audience.

Harris Campaign's Response

The Harris campaign refuted Trump’s claims, stating that debate terms remain unsettled. “Both candidates have publicly made clear their willingness to debate with unmuted mics for the duration of the debate to fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates—but it appears Donald Trump is letting his handlers overrule him. Sad!” the campaign’s statement read, referencing Trump’s frequent use of the term “Sad” in his communications.

Debate Controversies

The debate preparation has seen friction between the candidates’ campaigns. Harris's team has advocated for keeping microphones on throughout the debate, unlike the last presidential debate where candidates’ mics were muted while their opponents spoke. Trump’s team initially agreed to closed microphones but later expressed a preference for open mics.

Upcoming Interview

In other news, Kamala Harris is scheduled for her first interview since President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race. She will appear with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in a joint interview with CNN anchor Dana Bash in Savannah, Georgia, airing at 9 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday. This interview comes amid criticism for Harris’s limited media appearances since Biden's decision to step aside on July 21. Trump’s campaign has remarked on the joint nature of the interview, suggesting that Harris is not capable of handling an interview alone.