Advertisement
Harris-Trump election debate in the balance over muted microphones
- Harris campaign claims Trump camp wants mics off to protect him from making any off-colour comments
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
1
A much-anticipated US presidential debate next month between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump was thrown into question over the subject of muted microphones, as the Republican threatened to pull out.
Trump had already balked at debating in the September 10 showdown, which comes on the heels of Harris’ rapid rise as the Democratic Party’s nominee after US President Joe Biden stepped down.
On his Truth Social media platform on Sunday, Trump accused television broadcaster ABC of bias, posting: “I ask, why would I do the Debate against Kamala Harris on that network?”
Advertisement
The Trump and Harris campaigns were also locked in disagreement on Monday over whether each candidate’s microphone would be muted when the other spoke.
02:48
US presidential debate: Biden and Trump spar over economy, war in Ukraine
US presidential debate: Biden and Trump spar over economy, war in Ukraine
Harris’ campaign alleged that Trump’s camp was vying to keep the mics off to protect him from any off-colour comments or if he loses his temper during the debate.
Advertisement
“We believe both candidates’ mics should be live throughout the full broadcast,” Harris communication director Brian Fallon said in a statement.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x