ABC rejects Kamala Harris’ bid to change debate rules

The stage is set for what promises to be one of the most anticipated political showdowns of the year. On September 10th, Vice President Kamala Harris will go head-to-head with former President Donald Trump in a debate that’s already causing quite the stir. But the drama isn’t just about what will happen on stage—it’s about what’s happening behind the scenes.

ABC News, the network hosting this face-off, has flat-out rejected Harris’ last-minute demand to have both candidates’ microphones unmuted for the entire 90-minute debate. That’s right, the Vice President wanted to ditch the standard debate rules—rules that have been in place for good reason—to ensure both candidates could talk over each other without pause. Fortunately, the network stood firm.

Now, let’s be clear about what this is really about. Harris isn’t just asking for an open mic—she’s asking for a license to interrupt, to interject, and to create chaos on stage. It’s a classic tactic, one that she’s used before to generate viral moments that play well on social media. Remember the 2020 debate when she famously snapped at then-Vice President Mike Pence with a sharp “I’m speaking”? Or her racially charged “That little girl was me!” attack on Joe Biden during the 2019 primaries? These weren’t just off-the-cuff remarks; they were calculated moves designed to paint her opponents as out of touch or, worse, sexist.

But this time, Harris might be overplaying her hand. ABC News has already laid out the ground rules—rules that closely follow those of Trump’s June 27th CNN debate against President Biden. No audience, no pre-written notes or props, and muted microphones when a candidate isn’t speaking. It’s a straightforward format that’s designed to give both candidates a fair shot at making their case without turning the debate into a shouting match.

So why the sudden push for unmuted mics? It’s simple: Harris’ team knows that she’s up against one of the most formidable debaters in modern American politics. Donald Trump doesn’t just debate; he dominates the stage. And with no audience to play to, Harris needs every advantage she can get. But here’s the thing: Trump’s campaign isn’t falling for it. A top Trump ally told The Post that ABC News had already informed both campaigns in writing that the “CNN rules” would apply, and both had agreed. So what’s the holdup? It seems Harris’ team is dragging their feet, possibly hoping to force a last-minute change or create an excuse to back out altogether.

Jason Miller, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, didn’t mince words when he spoke to Newsmax on Wednesday. “The Harris folks are completely full of it,” he said. “Everything was agreed to and set last week. The Harris people are trying to distract and come up with something shiny to move away from the fact that she’s not doing interviews.”

And there’s the crux of it. Harris has been notably absent from the media circuit, and this debate is one of her few chances to directly address the American people. But instead of preparing to answer tough questions and present a vision for the future, her team is more focused on manipulating the rules to manufacture a viral moment. It’s the kind of political gamesmanship that the American public sees right through.

Let’s not forget, this debate isn’t just another campaign stop—it’s a crucial moment in a high-stakes election. The American people deserve a serious, substantive discussion of the issues, not a circus. And yet, Harris seems more interested in creating another “I’m speaking” moment than in actually speaking to the concerns of everyday Americans.

So, what’s next? Will Harris’ team finally accept the rules and face Trump on a level playing field? Or will they continue to push for changes that tip the scales in their favor? One thing is for sure: come September 10th, all eyes will be on Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center. And while Kamala Harris might be looking for a viral moment, Donald Trump will be ready to deliver a message that resonates far beyond the debate stage.

America, stay tuned. This is going to be one for the history books.