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What channel is Trump-Harris debate on tonight?
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What channel is Trump-Harris debate on tonight?

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Debate day is here.

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will face off in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The Republican and Democratic nominees are set to lay out their vision for the country – and knock their opponent on issues ranging from inflation and the economy to abortion rights and the southern border.

The debate marks one of the first major hurdles for Harris in her 2024 bid for the White House. The vice president ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket earlier this year after President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance sparked weeks of concerns that ultimately led to the end of his reelection campaign.

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. EDT, USA TODAY Network will stream The ABC News Presidential Debate Simulcast on the USA TODAY channel, available on most smart televisions and devices. 

Keep up with the USA TODAY Network’s live coverage all day.

What’s true? what’s false? Sign up for USA TODAY’s Checking the Facts newsletter.

If the economic visions of Joe Biden and  Donald Trump were starkly divergent, the contrast between Trump and Kamala Harris is nearly blinding.

Trump’s and Harris’ blueprints for the economy are expected to be spotlighted in their first and possibly only debate Tuesday evening, hosted by ABC News.

What does Kamala Harris support? What about Donald Trump? Read more here.

– Paul Davidson

A group of about 100 protesters gathered outside Philadelphia City Hall Tuesday evening to bring attention to the situation in Gaza, with plans to march as close to the Constitution Center as they can get, given the tight security perimeter there.

Holding Palestinian flags and shouting pro-Palenstian chants, the group led by the Party for Socialism and Liberation wants people to know “Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have more in common with each other than they have with us,” said Claudia Dela, a New York-based organizer.

“Democracy is very much a sham,” said Dela. Harris and Trump “are part of the same political class, and we need more voices of working people to demand what we deserve.”

– Phaedra Trethan

Biden isn’t attending debate, says Harris is ‘going to do great’

President Joe Biden said he spoke with a “calm” Vice President Kamala Harris hours ahead of the debate. 

Speaking with reporters outside the White House, Biden said Harris seems “calm, cool and collected” in his call with the vice president.

“I think she’s going to do great. And I’m not going to tell you what advice I gave her,” Biden said.

– Rebecca Morin

7 things to watch at the Kamala Harris-Donald Trump debate 

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s showdown in Philadelphia on Tuesday will be a major test – and opportunity – in a presidential campaign that has already been defined by a debate.  

Democrats and their progressive allies are fully aware of the stakes after the last head-to-head showdown led to weeks of internal party turmoil culminating in 81-year-old President Joe Biden’s dramatic exit from the race. 

Many are eager for Harris, known for her resume and reputation as a prosecutor, to take her Republican opponent to task over his unprecedented criminal record and to draw a contrast on critical issues facing the country in front of a national audience. 

Read more here 

– Phillip M. Bailey  

Where do Harris and Trump stand in the polls?   

Harris seems to have national momentum on her side heading into the presidential debate, a USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll found. The poll of 1,000 likely voters taken after the Democratic National Convention showed Harris leading Trump 48%-43%. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.   

However, a New York Times/Sienna Poll of 1,695 likely voters taken last week found Trump leading Harris, 48%-47%, within the poll’s three-percentage-point margin of error.  

The race appears tighter in key swing states that could determine the election’s outcome. Other polls show the candidates are neck and neck in crucial battlegrounds including Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.   

– Rachel Barber 

Electronic signs at the intersection of 12th and Market streets in Philadelphia are flashing Philly-centric signs to Donald Trump.

“Philly is Wit Harris”—a reference to how Philly natives take their cheesesteak (“wit” or “witout” onions, to the rest of youse)—and messages referencing crowd size and Project 2025 greet visitors, pedestrians and the media and dignitaries out to grab a bite at the nearby Reading Terminal Market and a Hard Rock Cafe.

– Phaedra Trethan

Scaramucci: Harris appeals to ‘normal Republicans’

Anthony Scaramucci, who served briefly as Donald Trump’s White House communication’s director, suggested Harris’ economic agenda and national security ideas would appeal to “normal Republicans.”

“There’s nothing radical about it,” Scaramucci told reporters ahead of the debate.

Scaramucci, a Trump critic who is attending the debate as a Harris surrogate, said Harris’ endorsement by former Vice President Dick Cheney and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney “gives space and comfort to normal Republicans, not Trumpish Republicans, but normal Republicans and independent moderates” that she is the right choice in this election.

Scaramucci, who was fired from the Trump White House after less than two weeks on the job, introduced himself to reporters by joking, “I’m Anthony Scaramucci, and I lasted one Scaramucci in the White House, which is 11 days.”

– Michael Collins

Debate in Philly? Cue the theme from ‘Rocky’

Both campaigns are referencing one of Philadelphia’s claims to fame: The setting of the 1976 Oscar-winning boxing film “Rocky,” the story of scrappy underdog Rocky Balboa and his challenge to world champion Apollo Creed.

“Fight Night in Philly!” tweeted Trump aide Steven Cheung as the Republican candidate’s plane took off from South Florida. The Harris campaign, meanwhile, is planning a pre-debate “drone show” above the “Rocky steps” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The odds are good that the sound system will play the musical theme from the movie, “Gonna Fly Now.”  

A word of caution may be in order, however: In the first Rocky film, Balboa actually lost a split decision to Creed in the championship bout; it wasn’t until the first sequel that Rocky became champion.

– David Jackson

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. EDT, USA TODAY Network will stream The ABC News Presidential Debate Simulcast on the USA TODAY channel, available on most smart televisions and devices. 

– USA TODAY Staff

Former Trump official Olivia Troye senses ‘sea change’ against ex-president

Olivia Troye, who worked as a national security adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence, said she’s hearing from other Republicans who believe Donald Trump is too extreme and don’t want him to return to the White House.

Troye, who quit her job in the administration after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, is serving as a surrogate for Kamala Harris and is attending the debate as Harris’ guest.

“I think I’m seeing a sea change,” Troye told reporters ahead of the debate. “I’m hearing from Republicans across the country. I’m traveling to the swing states. I’m talking to them directly, and they’re saying, ‘I don’t identify with that.’”

Troye said her values haven’t changed and that she doesn’t agree with everything Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, support. But, “I believe there is a better future for our country getting away from the extremism that Donald Trump and MAGA represent,” she said.

– Michael Collins

Donald Trump hasn’t complained much about his security before the July 13 attempt on his life, but some of his allies have including former first lady Melania Trump. In a video promoting her upcoming memoir, Melania Trump called the assassination attempt “a horrible, distressing experience,” and said “the silence around it feels heavy.”

“I can’t help but wonder, why didn’t law enforcement officials arrest the shooter before the speech,” the former first lady said.

She added: “There is definitely more to this story, and we need to uncover the truth,” she said.

Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump, added on X: “I want answers as well. Something is being hidden.”

– David Jackson

It’s time for another round of the presidential debate bingo! The game where you play along as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump share the stage for the first time as they compete for the White House this November. Grab a few friends and choose your bingo cards here.

– Saman Shafiq

The Foo Fighters are fighting back.

A representative for the rock band told USA TODAY that the Donald Trump campaign did not ask them for permission to use the group’s song “My Hero” at the former president’s rally last month with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Glendale, Arizona, “and if they were, they would not have granted it.”

The representative added that “any royalties received as a result of this use will be donated” to Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

– Brendan Morrow

Trump calls for government shutdown without voting legislation 

While preparing for the debate, Trump took time Tuesday to urge Republican lawmakers to shut down the government if Congress does not approve voting policies he wants. Trump wants to bar migrants who are in the country illegally from voting – but that is already illegal. His proposal would require new voters to submit more documentary proof of citizenship.

Still, in a Truth Social post, Trump said Republicans in Congress should not approve a new spending plan without his voting plan. Congress’ deadline to keep the government’s doors open is Sept. 30.

“If Republicans in the House, and Senate, don’t get absolute assurances on Election Security, THEY SHOULD, IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, GO FORWARD WITH A CONTINUING RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET,” he said.

– David Jackson

Two former Trump officials, Anthony Scaramucci and Olivia Troye, will be guests of Harris campaign

Two former officials in Donald Trump’s administration will be at the presidential debate for the Harris campaign on Thursday.

Anthony Scaramucci, a former Trump White House communications director, and Olivia Troye, Homeland Security advisor to Vice President Mike Pence, will serve as surrogates for the campaign and warn what a second Trump presidency would look like.

“Listen, don’t take it from us: Take it from the ones who know Donald Trump the best and who are telling the American people exactly how unfit Trump is to serve as president,” said Harris communications director Michael Tyler. 

– Rebecca Morin

Trump will knock Harris on immigration at debate

One of the top issues Trump will hammer Harris on is immigration. Trump and his allies have labeled Harris as a “border czar,” claiming that she was put in charge of the border and millions have crossed the border under her watch. Immigration experts previously debunked the claim, saying that Joe Biden tasked Harris with leading the administration’s diplomatic efforts addressing the “root causes” of migration in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

Trump will likely compare his immigration record with that of the Biden-Harris administration’s at the debate. 

Along the U.S.-Mexico border, migrant apprehensions plunged in July from a year ago, to the lowest level of the Biden era, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics provided to USA TODAY.

– Sudiksha Kochi, Andre Byik and Lauren Villagran

Trump: ‘You don’t know what to expect’ ahead of debate

Expect Donald Trump to harp on Kamala Harris’ change of position on various issues – an allegation she’s repeatedly rejected.

“You don’t know what to expect – she’s changed all of her policies over the years,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview on Tuesday. Harris and aides, meanwhile, plan to stress Trump’s personal attacks on the vice president and other prominent Democrats.

– David Jackson

Where do Trump and Harris stand on the wars in Israel, Ukraine?

Both Trump and Harris view Israel as a pivotal U.S. ally and have supported the country in the wake of Hamas’ devastating attack on Oct. 7.

Still, both nominees have split from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at times. Trump earlier this year earlier this year called on Israel to “finish up your war.” Harris has said Israeli leaders “must do more to protect civilian life” in Gaza.

Trump has said without evidence that, if elected, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would be settled within 24 hours, though it’s not clear how he would negotiate with the countries. Harris has widely criticized Russia’s invasion. In a major shift, the Biden administration earlier this year authorized Ukraine to use U.S. weapons to strike targets inside Russia.

– Marina Pitofsky

Tonight’s debate is high stakes for both candidates, and millions of Americans are expected to tune in. For any viewers in need of entertainment with their politics, here are just a few drinking game ideas. 

  • Spicy USA TODAY presidential debate bingo: Players will follow along with bingo cards, and each person to subsequently call bingo takes their numerically assigned shot (of alcohol, if of age and appropriate). 
  • Debate foul, party foul: Essentially, if the candidates fail to follow the rules, viewers take a drink. 
  • Line by line, sip by sip: Players should pick their political cliche of choice (think “my fellow Americans” or “We the People”) and sip every time that line is said. 

For more game details and specifics, read here. 

Savannah Kuchar and James Powel 

Trump has made immigration and southern border policy a cornerstone of his political career. He has long attacked undocumented immigrants, promising wide-reaching deportations if he’s elected to a second term. The Trump administration also faced major criticism over immigration officials separating children and parents or other family at the border with Mexico.

Harris opposed the construction of a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border as a 2020 presidential candidate, but she backed bipartisan border legislation pushed by the Biden administration that would have allocated unspent dollars to continue the construction of a border wall, among a host of other measures.

– Marina Pitofsky and Joey Garrison

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance are gearing up to take the stage for a vice presidential debate after both accepted an Oct. 1 invitation from CBS News.

The outlet also offered the candidates the chance to debate on Sept. 17, Sept. 24, and Oct. 8, but neither accepted those invitations. Vance suggested they also debate Sept. 18, but Walz has not agreed to that date.

– Rachel Barber

Harris and Trump have had much to say about one another while campaigning for president. But tonight’s debate marks the first time that the pair will actually meet face-to-face. 

While both have been in politics and the public eye for decades now, the candidates have yet to cross paths. 

Harris was present as a senator for Trump’s State of the Union addresses, but the two did not interact then. And Trump did not attend her vice presidential inauguration after refusing to accept the 2020 election results. 

Savannah Kuchar and Phillip Bailey 

Abortion rights activists are calling for tonight’s debate moderators to prioritize the issue in their questions to candidates. 

A petition by the progressive advocacy group MoveOn has garnered over 40,000 signatures, including support from actress Busy Philipps, and activists Amanda Zurwaski and Kaitlyn Joshua, who shared their personal abortion stories on stage at the Democratic National Convention last month. 

Abortion is likely to come up tonight as a top concern in this year’s election. Harris, who has long been a leading voice in the Biden administration on the issue, has made reproductive rights a cornerstone of her presidential campaign. 

Savannah Kuchar 

Presidential debates are typically 90 minutes long, including the one tonight. 

The Biden-Trump debate in June hosted by CNN went from 9 p.m. to about 10:30 p.m. 

In 2020, the first presidential debate between Biden and Trump was also about 90 minutes. It was moderated by former Fox News journalist Chris Wallace.

Sudiksha Kochi

Age was at the center of discussion about the 2024 election after the June debate between Biden and Trump.

Biden, 81, had a stumbling debate performance that night that ultimately led to him stepping aside and endorsing Harris to become the Democratic nominee.

Members of Congress, voters, and pundits wrung their hands publicly about it in the month after the debate while Trump sought to capitalize on Biden’s poor performance. He mocked the president at a rally in Virginia the day after the debate and accused Biden of being a “part-time president” at a rally in Miami in July after Biden struggled to articulate his pitch to Americans on the debate stage.

So, how old is Trump, and how old is Harris?

Trump turned 78 years old in June and would be 82 by the end of his term if he were to win in November.

Harris will turn 60 in October and would be 64 years old by the end of her term if she were to win in November.

Elizabeth Beyer, David Jackson and Charles Trepany

Tonight’s debate is currently the only face-off between Harris and Trump scheduled.  

Trump had proposed two other dates in September for additional debates, while the Harris campaign said in a statement the vice president would agree to another meeting between the candidates in October. 

Savannah Kuchar and Marina Pitofsky 

Harris and Trump head into debate night Tuesday essentially neck-and-neck in the 2024 swing states. 

Trump had enjoyed a lead in these seven battlegrounds earlier this year when Biden was still in the race.  

Shortly after taking over the ticket, though, Harris gained a slight advantage in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina and Arizona, and tied Trump in Georgia, according to a Cook Political Report survey last month. Trump continued to lead in Nevada by 5 points. 

And a Detroit Free Press survey late last month found Trump ahead again by one point in Michigan. 

Essentially, the race could not be tighter, and both candidates will be vying tonight for support from voters in these key states. 

Savannah Kuchar, Joey Garrison, and Todd Spangler 

The debate will be 90 minutes long with two commercial breaks. There will be no props or pre-written notes allowed onstage, and candidates will be given a pen, pad of paper and a water bottle. Candidates’ microphones will be live only for the candidate whose turn it is to speak and muted when the time belongs to another candidate.

The two moderators for the debate are ABC journalists Linsey Davis and David Muir. Muir is a broadcast journalist who is the host and managing editor of “ABC World News Tonight with David Muir.” Muir interviewed Biden earlier this year as a part of D-Day coverage and was Trump’s first White House interview as president in 2017.

Davis hosts “ABC News Live Prime,” ABC News’ streaming evening newscast, and weekend “World News Tonight” on Sundays. She is also a correspondent for “World News Tonight,” “Good Morning America,” “20/20” and “Nightline.”

Saman Shafiq, Gabe Hauari, and Sudiksha Kochi

In the 2020 presidential race, Biden won 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232. Of the 538 votes in the Electoral College up for grabs, a candidate must receive 270 of those votes to win.

In 2020, Biden won six of the seven states deemed battlegrounds in this year’s election: Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada. Trump won one of this year’s battleground states in 2020: North Carolina.

Battleground, or swing states, are those that flipped parties in the presidential election between 2016 and 2020.

As Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump prepare to face off on the debate stage in Philadelphia later this evening, take a look at how the 2020 race shook out along with some background on the Electoral College.

– Elizabeth Beyer

The debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will take place in Philadelphia at the National Constitution Center.

Pennsylvania is one of a handful of battleground states that could be key in deciding the outcome of this year’s presidential election.

– Savannah Kuchar

Catch up on the dynamics going into the debate tonight with these USA TODAY stories:

– USA TODAY Staff

How to watch Trump, Harris debate 

ABC News will host the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Tuesday. However, multiple channels, including NBC and CNN, will broadcast the event as well. 

– Savannah Kuchar

What time will Trump and Harris debate?

Tuesday’s debate is set to begin at 9 p.m. ET.

– Savannah Kuchar