Trump and Harris to Face Off in First Debate: Five Key Rules

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are set for the first-ever debate. Airing live on ABC at 6:30 am IST, the debate will be moderated by anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis. The 90-minute event will feature no live audience and include two commercial breaks.

Rules of Engagement

1. Microphone Usage: Each candidate's microphone will be active only when they are speaking, with mics muted otherwise to ensure fairness.

2. Question Protocol: Moderators will pose all questions, with no advance notice given to the candidates.

3. Statement Structure: There will be no opening statements. Candidates will have two minutes to answer each question, with their opponent receiving the same amount of time for a rebuttal and an additional minute for follow-ups or clarifications. Closing statements will be limited to two minutes, with Trump speaking last due to a coin toss.

4. Debate Setup: Candidates will stand behind their podiums and are provided only a pen, a pad of paper, and a water bottle. No additional props or pre-written notes are allowed.

5. Interaction Restrictions: During commercial breaks, no communication will be allowed between the candidates and their campaign staff.