Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have pressure on them to deliver a strong performance in the ABC News debate in Philadelphia on September 10.
The Trump camp wants the debate to be governed by the same rules as when Joe Biden was the Democratic candidate, namely that the microphones are turned off when the opponent speaks.
Interrupting each other
But with only 15 days left until the televised debate, Harris's campaign team wants the microphones to be "hot", which would allow the two candidates to interrupt each other on the debate stage.
The Vice President is ready to take on Trump's constant lies and interruptions in real-time. Trump should stop hiding behind the mute button, says Harris's campaign communications advisor Brian Fallon in a statement.
Trump opened up the possibility of skipping the debate on Sunday evening. On his Truth Social Media platform, Trump accused ABC of bias after watching the channel's Sunday program with a "Panel of Trump Haters". "Why would I debate Kamala Harris on that channel?", Trump writes.
It was Biden's campaign organization that set closed microphones as a condition for participating in the famous June debate hosted by CNN, which Trump accepted. Staff within the Democratic campaign organization have since regretted the decision, believing that voters were prevented from hearing Trump's outbursts during the debate.
Trump is hesitant
During a campaign stop in the Washington area on Monday, Trump said he himself advocated for open microphones. But he added that he would be happy to stick to the previously agreed debate rules of muting the microphones when the person does not have the floor.
Then Trump criticized his opponent Harris:
"The truth is that (the Democrats) are trying to get out of the debate, because she doesn't want to debate. She's not a good debater."
