How to Watch the ABC News Presidential Debate Live: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Face Off in Philly

Mar. 15, 2025

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will have their first debate on Sept. 10, 2024.Photo:Slaven Vlasic/Getty; Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg/Getty

Slaven Vlasic/Getty; Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg/Getty

Vice PresidentKamala Harrisand former PresidentDonald Trumpare finally set to meet for their first debate of the 2024 presidential election season on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

The matchup between Harris, 59, and Trump, 78, may be the only one before Election Day on Nov. 5, as no additional debates are currently scheduled between the nominees. Their campaigns have suggested that they are open to putting another on the calendar.

The showdown — which will mark Harris and Trump’s first time standing face to face — follows a chaotic couple of months for both candidates.

Trump was wounded in anassassination attemptat a Pennsylvania campaign rally on July 13, days before heaccepted his party’s nominationat the Republican National Convention.

Harris, on the other hand, only entered the race on July 21, after PresidentJoe Bidenmade the shocking move toend his reelection campaignas a direct result of his June debate performance against Trump. Within weeks of taking Biden’s place at the top of the ticket, Harrisformally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination.

Kamala Harris accepts her party’s nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22, 2024.ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty

ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty

Trump was long considered the frontrunner of the 2024 election, as Biden, 81, struggled to overcome low favorability ratings and concerns about his age. Since Harris stepped in, Democrats have seemingly leveled the playing field, making the candidates' matchup on Tuesday a high-stakes occasion.

Read on for everything to know about the first presidential debate between Harris and Trump on Sept. 10.

How to Watch Live and Where to Stream

Host network ABC News will make the debate widely available on all its platforms. The presidential debate — which runs from 9-10:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 10 — will air live on ABC and will stream live on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.

The full debate will also be made available to podcast listeners on ABC News' podcastStart Here.

In an effort to make Harris and Trump’s first presidential debate as accessible as possible, ABC News has also given other news networks permission to air the event, meaning you can stream the debate on most platforms where you get live news.

Some outlets will stream the debate for free online for those without cable or streaming apps. PBS News, for example, is expected to air the debate for free on itsYouTube channel.

Who Is Moderating the Debate?

ABC News' David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the presidential debate on Sept. 10, 2024.Mike Coppola/Getty Images; Michael Le Brecht II/ABC via Getty Images

Mike Coppola/Getty Images; Michael Le Brecht II/ABC via Getty Images

ABC News' David Muir andLinsey Daviswere tapped to host ABC News' presidential debate on Tuesday.

Muir, 51, is anchor and managing editor ofABC World News Tonightand has moderated multiple presidential primary debates. He has previously interviewed both Trump and Harris.

Davis, 46, anchors the Sunday edition ofWorld News Tonightas well asPrimewhich airs on ABC News Live, the network’s 24/7 streaming news channel. She has also moderated presidential primary debates.

Trump has repeatedly expressed his disdain for Stephanopoulos on the campaign trail, likely contributing to ABC News' choice of debate moderators.

What Are the Harris-Trump Debate Rules?

Former President Donald Trump at the June 27, 2024, debate against President Joe Biden.Justin Sullivan/Getty

Justin Sullivan/Getty

Trump and Harris battled over the rules of the debate in recent weeks. Trump’s campaign reportedly wanted to keep microphones muted when candidates aren’t speaking and restrict candidates from bringing notes on stage with them. Harris' campaign wanted microphones to stay unmuted, seemingly so that viewers at home could hear when Trump was being disruptive and so that Harris would have more chances to shut him down.

Trump ultimately got his way, withABC Newsannouncing that candidates had agreed on the same debate rules that Trump and Biden followed during CNN’s debate in June, which means microphones will be muted when candidates are not speaking, and no props or pre-written notes will be allowed on stage. Each candidate will be provided a pen, pad of paper and water bottle.

During the program, candidates will have two minutes to answer each question and two minutes for rebuttals. They can get an extra minute if they have a follow-up question, clarification or response.

On stage, candidatesmust remain behind their podiums. During commercial breaks, they may not consult with their campaign staff.

When Is the Vice Presidential Debate?

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance have two vice presidential debates scheduled.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Minnesota Gov.Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, is currently scheduled to debate Ohio Sen.J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, one time before the election.

source: people.com