Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will face off for the first time ever in a debate Tuesday night. Here’s what you need to know ahead of the showdown.
The first debate of this presidential campaign pitted Republican Donald Trump against current President Joe Biden. A few weeks after that night that turned out to be disastrous for the Democrat, Joe Biden heeded the repeated calls from members of his party and gave up his place in the race for the White House to his vice president, Kamala Harris.
Tuesday night’s debate, which will begin at 9 p.m. ET and last 90 minutes, will take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania is a key state for victory in the Nov. 5 presidential election.
Strict rules
After some waffling, both candidates agreed to the rules that will govern the debate, which will be presented by ABC News.
Where to watch
in English
With ABC News hosting the debate, it will be broadcast on its platforms. It will also be carried on several other English-language networks, including CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, CBC News Network and CNN.
In French
ICI RDI and LCN will have special broadcasts to follow the exchange.
Just like during the debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, the microphones will be cut between the candidates’ interventions. The Democratic camp wanted them to remain open, anticipating frequent cuts from the Republican, who would be disadvantaged.
PHOTO ALEX BRANDON, ARCHIVESASSOCIATED PRESS
Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump
The questions that will be asked were not shared in advance with the two politicians. Each will have two minutes to answer a question, then two minutes will be reserved for the opponent to respond. An additional minute can be used for any “additional remarks, clarifications, or responses,” according to the rules.
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will also have two minutes at the end of the debate to present their conclusions.
For all materials, they will have a pen and sheets of paper. Notes prepared in advance will not be allowed.
PHOTO PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Preparations are underway for Tuesday night’s presidential debut in Philadelphia.
Convincing the undecided
Economics, immigration, world conflicts, guns, abortion… there is no shortage of important issues in this election campaign. In prime time, Tuesday’s debate will be a perfect opportunity for the candidates to mark their positions, attack the rival camp, and potentially convince the undecided.
Kamala Harris, who has only given one official interview in the last six weeks, will also be subjected to a rare moment of sustained questioning since her candidacy was made official.
PHOTO BRIAN SNYDER, REUTERS ARCHIVES
Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris
Neck and neck
In new polls released Sunday, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump remained neck and neck, making the November 5 election still uncertain.
An opinion poll released Monday by ABC gives Kamala Harris 50% of voting intentions to Donald Trump’s 46% among Americans registered to vote, and 52% to 46% among voters planning to go to the polls.
A study published Sunday by the New York Times gives the former president a one-point lead over the vice-president (48% against 47%).
Like the two previous presidential elections, the 2024 election could be decided by a few thousand votes in certain strategic counties in six or seven pivotal states, due to the voting method which is based on indirect universal suffrage.
Watch our video on the American electoral system
with Agence France-Presse and the Associated Press