Harris-Trump ABC News presidential debate: Eyewitness News coverage
Watch the Trump-Harris debate starting with the ABC News pre-show at 8:00 p.m. on Channel 7
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Eyewitness News was there as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump met for the first time face-to-face Tuesday night for perhaps their only debate.
With only weeks until Election Day, the debate hosted by ABC News presented a crucial opportunity for both candidates to work to sway undecided voters in what's expected to be a close contest.
Eyewitness News was also on Long Island where a student watch party was held at Hofstra University Tuesday night.
The presidential candidates touched on hot button issues for students, like abortion and student loans, fostering a lot of reaction.
It's some of Trump's comments that caused the most controversy.
"I think Trump is off his game right now," said senior Joshua Platte. "His answers are completely unhinged."
Students of different backgrounds spoke candidly about the candidates, and the policies that matter to them the most like gun control, healthcare, abortion rights, foreign policy and infrastructure.
"Our country is not really heading in the right direction domestically between the immigration crisis at the border which i think is a humanitarian disaster and being overlooked," said sophomore Salvatore Ruffo.
LIVE BLOG: Coverage of the debate from ABC News and Eyewitness News
When and where was the presidential debate?
The debate will took place in Philadelphia at the National Constitution Center on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. EDT.
"World News Tonight" anchor and managing editor David Muir and ABC News Live "Prime" anchor Linsey Davis served as moderators.
The prime-time pre-debate special, "Race for the White House," was anchored by chief global affairs correspondent and "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz, chief Washington correspondent and "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl, chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce and senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott.
What were the ground rules?
Both Harris and Trump accepted the debate rules, which included that their microphones will be muted when the time belongs to another candidate.
The agreed-upon rules include:
- The debate will be 90 minutes with two commercial breaks.
- The two seated moderators will be the only people asking questions.
- A coin flip was held virtually on Tuesday, Sept. 3, to determine podium placement and order of closing statements; former President Donald Trump won the coin toss and chose to select the order of statements. The former president will offer the last closing statement, and Vice President Harris selected the right podium position on screen (stage left).
- Candidates will be introduced by the moderators.
- The candidates enter upon introduction from opposite sides of the stage; the incumbent party will be introduced first.
- No opening statements; closing statements will be two minutes per candidate.
- Candidates will stand behind podiums for the duration of the debate.
- Props or prewritten notes are not allowed onstage.
- No topics or questions will be shared in advance with campaigns or candidates.
- Candidates will be given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water.
- Candidates will have two-minute answers to questions, two-minute rebuttals, and one extra minute for follow-ups, clarifications, or responses.
- Candidates' microphones will be live only for the candidate whose turn it is to speak and muted when the time belongs to another candidate.
- Candidates will not be permitted to ask questions of each other.
- Campaign staff may not interact with candidates during commercial breaks.
- Moderators will seek to enforce timing agreements and ensure a civilized discussion.
- There will be no audience in the room.
Take a look at the latest stories and videos about the ABC News presidential debate here.
