ABC has rejected a last-minute effort by Kamala Harris to alter the principles of the presidential debate scheduled for September 10.
The Harris marketing campaign on Monday requested each candidates’ microphones to be muted all through the 90-minute debate.
President Trump required related guidelines throughout his June debate with Joe Biden on CNN: muted microphones, no viewers, no notes, no props.
ABC Information informed each campaigns it accepts “CNN guidelines” for the September debate.
Nevertheless, Kamala Harris tried to alter the microphone guidelines on the final minute however was rebuffed, in line with an electronic mail obtained by the New York Put up.
Harris spokesman Brian Fallon was livid and lashed out at Trump after ABC dismissed Kamala’s newest tantrum.
Kamala’s managers are nonetheless making an attempt to push ABC to alter the controversy guidelines as a result of they worry Trump.
“Our newest understanding is that though Trump mentioned on Monday he was high quality with having his microphone unmuted, his handlers didn’t imagine he would interact in a stay altercation with Vice President Harris and requested ABC to disregard Trump’s feedback and The microphones had been muted or they might withdraw from the controversy for the third time, and we had been requested to agree with Trump’s handlers on this level, so we’re nonetheless with ABC. Let’s focus on the ultimate rule,” mentioned Bryan Fallon.
UPDATE: Our newest understanding is that whereas Trump mentioned Monday he was high quality with having his microphone unmuted, his handlers do not imagine he would interact in a stay spat with Vice President Harris and requested ABC to disregard Trump’s feedback and Maintain the mic muted or they are going to go away the controversy…
— Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) August 29, 2024
ABC Information’ personal inner emails paint a unique story, in line with the New York Put up.
The New York Put up studies:
ABC Information refuses to take Vice President Kamala Harris’ request to have her microphone fully muted throughout the Sept. 10 debate with former President Donald Trump Kamala Harris calls for.
An internet electronic mail seen by The Washington Put up listed related guidelines to these for Trump’s June 27 presidential debate with Biden on CNN, together with no viewers, no prewritten notes or props, and Mute the microphone when the candidate shouldn’t be talking.
Trump and Harris will stand on the rostrum and can solely be allowed to hold a pen, a chunk of paper and a bottle of water.
The Republican marketing campaign insists the controversy, scheduled for the Nationwide Structure Heart in Philadelphia, follows the identical guidelines because the June showdown with Biden.
Nevertheless, Harris’ workforce claimed on Monday that they wished each candidates’ microphones to stay on all through the 90-minute discussion board.
A senior Trump ally mentioned ABC Information notified each campaigns in writing final week that “CNN Guidelines” can be adopted, with either side confirming September 10 as “the beginning.”