The second general election debate of the 2024 campaign season is around the corner, marking the first face-off between the current nominees. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to engage in Tuesday night’s debate in Philadelphia. Following a lackluster performance in the initial general election debate earlier this cycle in June, President Joe Biden withdrew his re-election bid, leading to Harris stepping in as the Democratic nominee.
Scheduled to start at 9 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, the debate is anticipated to run for 90 minutes. It will be moderated by “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir and “Prime” anchor Linsey Davis. Viewers can catch the debate live on ABC News’ broadcast network, as well as ABC News Live, Disney+, and Hulu. Several other networks will also air the event. The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is the chosen venue for this debate, just like the June debate, with no live audience in attendance.
Being a crucial swing state, Pennsylvania has seen considerable campaigning from both candidates. In 2020, Pennsylvania’s electoral votes played a decisive role in Biden’s victory, pushing him into the White House. Biden’s win came after a prolonged counting period due to a surge in mail-in votes. Both candidates have actively campaigned in Pennsylvania, with Biden securing the state in 2020 after Trump had won it in 2016.
The debate will feature Harris and Trump, marking their first-ever meeting. This debate also signifies Harris’ return to the debating stage since 2020 when she debated then-Vice President Mike Pence. There were concerns about whether the debate would happen following Biden’s exit from the campaign, but ultimately, Harris and Trump will go head-to-head. The debate rules will include mic muting and no live audience, similar to the conditions set for the June debate.
Looking ahead, CBS News is gearing up to host a vice-presidential debate on October 1, featuring Harris’ running mate Tim Walz and Trump’s VP choice, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. The debate is planned to be held in New York City. Both campaigns have yet to agree on any further debates.