Vice President Kamala Harris will get a free primetime special on ABC if Donald Trump misses the debate.
CNN reported:
Vice President Kamala Harris plans to attend the previously agreed-upon September 10 debate on ABC, even if Donald Trump does not attend, a person familiar with the matter told CNN.
Sources said their understanding is that ABC News will provide air time to whichever candidate emerges – even if it ends up being just Harris. ABC News did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
The debate did not specify that both candidates must be present, otherwise the live broadcast time will be invalid. If one candidate shows up but the other doesn’t, the networks may turn the debate into a primetime interview or town hall.
If the Harris campaign is correct, Donald Trump will not show up to give Kamala Harris a network television special that will be broadcast nationwide for free on the airwaves.
Trump’s lead in polls has evaporated. He can’t play these games and pretend he’s influential or winning.
Donald Trump has been making poor strategic decisions during the 2024 campaign, but abandoning a primetime special because of fear of debate would be one of his worst.
Trump has no leverage. He won’t completely change the debate rules so he can debate in front of an audience on Fox News.
The former president’s debate scam is failing and could result in Vice President Harris being given a separate national platform to address voters.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of Society of Professional Journalists and American Political Science Association
