Hot Mics: Harris Wants It On & Trump Threatens To Back Out Of Debate

Photo: Reuters/Go Nakamura

WASHINGTON, DC (REUTERS) – The campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris clashed on August 26 over next month’s presidential debate, with the vice president’s team seeking a return to open microphones while her Republican rival threatened to pull out entirely, suggesting the previously agreed-upon ABC network was biased.

“Why would I do the Debate against Kamala Harris on that network?” Trump, who is making his third bid for the White House, wrote in a social media post late night that also accused the network of bias. “Stay tuned!!!”

Harris spokesperson Brian Fallon said on August 26 the vice president’s campaign wanted the broadcaster to keep the candidates’ microphones on throughout the event, not muted when their opponent was speaking as in the last presidential debate. So-called “hot mics” can help or hurt political candidates, catching off-hand comments that sometimes were not meant for the public.

“The Vice President is ready to deal with Trump’s constant lies and interruptions in real time. Trump should stop hiding behind the mute button,” Fallon said in a statement.

Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller said in a statement they had already agreed to the same terms as CNN’s June debate, which had muted microphones, adding: “We said no changes to the agreed-upon rules.”

But Trump later told reporters that he preferred to have his microphone kept on, adding that he did not like it muted last time and that he was not preparing much for the face-off against his new rival.

“Doesn’t matter to me. I’d rather have it, probably, on. But the agreement was that it would be the same as it was last time,” Trump said.

Trump had floated another debate hosted by Fox News on September 4, which he later said would be a televised town hall with just himself and host Sean Hannity. The Harris campaign said no.

The vice-presidential candidates, Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz, are scheduled to debate October 1 on CBS News.