NEW YORK, NY - Tonight is a historic evening for American politics. It will be the first debate between the two officially acknowledged presidential candidates of the two major parties. However, Kamala Harris will take the stage as her party's nominee for the first time ever by a Black woman in our country's history. If she were to win this November, she will answer the age-old question, "When will we have a woman president?"
Tonight will also mark the first time that former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris meet. It may come as a surprise with the general election only two months away - and another one having been fought between her former running mate and Trump four years ago.
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However, to keep things in context, we would be wise to remember that during the transition between the Trump and Biden administrations, Trump sent an angry mob to break into the Capitol Building. The attempt to halt the counting of electoral votes that would confirm Joe Biden, Harris's running mate, as the winner of the 2020 presidential election may best explain the reason for the delay in these two political powerhouses getting acquainted.
When this circumstantial and bizarre fact was brought up a few months ago during the VPs appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, even Kimmel was surprised by how odd it was for two such well-known politicians to have never once met in person.
So, as we gear up to watch the highly anticipated showdown, remember also tonight as you watch, that this is the first moment these two unimaginably influential Americans have ever even looked at each other in the flesh. An unconventional twist for an unconventional election!
Harris-Trump Presidential Debate
Event Information
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Start Time | 9 PM ET, Tuesday, Sept. 10 |
| Location | Philadelphia's National Constitution Center (no live audience) |
| Historical Context | - First time Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will meet face-to-face. - Second presidential debate in Pennsylvania in the last 50 years |
Moderators
- David Muir ("World News Tonight" anchor)
- Linsey Davis (ABC News Live "Prime" anchor)
Debate Duration
90 minutes, with two commercial breaks.
Where to Watch Live
- TV Channels: ABC News, CNN, CBS, Fox News, NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, PBS, BBC
- Streaming Platforms: ABC News Live, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube (via local TV stations)
Debate Rules
- Only moderators can ask questions.
- Microphones will be live only for the candidate whose turn it is to speak.
- Each candidate gets 2 minutes to answer, 2 minutes for rebuttals, and 1 additional minute for follow-up or clarification.
Vice Presidential Debate
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Oct. 1 |
| Candidates | Democratic Gov. Tim Walz (MN) vs. GOP Sen. JD Vance (OH) |
| Host | CBS News in New York City |
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