Former President Donald Trump confirmed that the ABC debate will proceed as scheduled on September 10. In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced that the debate will follow the same rules as the previous CNN debate, including muting microphones when the other person is speaking.
"I have reached an agreement with the Radical Left Democrats for a Debate with Comrade Kamala Harris. It will be Broadcast Live on ABC FAKE NEWS, by far the nastiest and most unfair newscaster in the business, on Tuesday, September 10th, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rules will be the same as the last CNN Debate, which seemed to work out well for everyone except, perhaps, Crooked Joe Biden," he wrote in a post on Tuesday.
He continued, "The Debate will be “stand up,” and Candidates cannot bring notes, or “cheat sheets.” We have also been given assurance by ABC that this will be a “fair and equitable” Debate, and that neither side will be given the questions in advance (No Donna Brazile!)."
"Harris would not agree to the FoxNews Debate on September 4th, but that date will be held open in case she changes her mind or, Flip Flops, as she has done on every single one of her long held and cherished policy beliefs. A possible third Debate, which would go to NBC FAKE NEWS, has not been agreed to by the Radical Left. GOD BLESS AMERICA!" Trump added.
This announcement comes amid speculation that Trump was considering withdrawing from the presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris due to disagreements over the rules, particularly the muting of microphones. The rules, originally negotiated when President Joe Biden was the Democratic nominee, became a point of contention after Biden's underwhelming performance in his CNN presidential debate against Trump. Some commentators believed that the muting of microphones made Biden’s performance appear weaker and suggested that Trump might have appeared less disciplined in his responses if the mics had remained on.