US Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to face off in a highly anticipated debate on Tuesday, their first and possibly only televised encounter before the 2024 presidential election. The debate, hosted by ABC in Philadelphia, will be a critical test for both candidates, with millions of Americans tuning in to see them go head-to-head.
Harris, 59, has unified the Democratic party and overtaken Trump’s lead in the polls, but insists she remains the “underdog” in a tight race. She has been preparing for the debate in Pittsburgh, while Trump, 78, is expected to take an aggressive approach.
The debate will be a chance for voters to see the two candidates’ differences, with Harris relying on her prosecutorial style and Trump likely to fire up his right-wing base. However, Trump’s angry and rambling style may not play well against Harris, who could become America’s first Black woman president.
The moderators will also face pressure to fact-check Trump’s statements, which have often been false in previous debates. The debate has the potential to be a decisive moment in the final sprint to the November 5 election, with both candidates aiming to reach undecided voters in a deeply polarized America.
Harris will need to battle sexist and racist stereotypes, while Trump must decide how much of his trademark style to deploy. The debate will be closely watched, with President Joe Biden’s spokeswoman saying he will be tuning in. The encounter could go down in history, with one commentator saying, “Break out the popcorn.”
