Kamala Harris’ campaign came under heavy criticism Thursday after it was revealed that they attempted to change the rules for the upcoming debate against President Donald Trump. Harris spokesperson Brian Fallon’s claim that the campaign had not agreed to ABC News’ debate rules, which include muting microphones while the opponent speaks, sparked outrage among political commentators.
ABC News had informed both campaigns that the September 10 debate would follow the same rules as the June CNN debate. These guidelines required that candidates stand with muted microphones during their opponent’s time, not use notes, and face off without an audience present. Despite these clear guidelines, Fallon suggested that the Trump campaign insisted on the muted microphones because they didn’t trust Trump to handle an unmuted debate.
Fallon’s comments led to widespread backlash, with many accusing the Harris campaign of trying to avoid a direct confrontation with Trump. Ben Shapiro, Editor Emeritus of The Daily Wire, called out the Harris campaign, saying, “You’re a campaign of cowardice,” while others, like Commentary Magazine’s John Podhoretz, accused Fallon of dishonesty.
The controversy over the debate rules has only intensified as both campaigns prepare for the high-stakes event. With public attention focused on the debate, the Harris campaign’s attempt to alter the rules has raised questions about their confidence in facing Trump head-to-head. As the debate approaches, both candidates will need to address these concerns and ensure a fair and transparent process.
