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Trump-Harris debate live updates: High-stakes showdown just hours away

Harris and Trump will meet each other for the first time tonight.

Last Updated: September 10, 2024, 4:12 PM EDT

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will meet for the first time on Tuesday for the ABC News presidential debate.

It is the only debate the two have scheduled and comes at a critical point as polls show a neck-and-neck race with just eight weeks until Election Day.

The two will face off on key issues starting at 9 p.m. ET. The debate will air on ABC and stream on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.

    10 hours and 11 minutes ago

    Trump campaign says he's in 'good spirits'

    The Trump campaign during a pre-debate call said Trump is in "good spirits" and will be departing shortly for Philadelphia.

    "President Trump is in good spirits. He is currently in Mar-a-Lago. My understanding is that he will be departing shortly to head over to Philadelphia," said Trump campaign senior adviser Danielle Alvarez when asked about his mood going into the debate.

    She suggested that the former president is "ready" to talk about inflation, housing affordability and the border among other issues on the debate stage. Alvarez also suggested that Trump might attack Harris for flip-flopping on some key issues such as fracking, police funding and electric vehicles.

    "The president is certainly full of surprises. I know that we can expect him to be, you know, with his, his charming self. We know that he is incredible when it comes to weaving in and out of topics -- he's incredible on those policy issues. So that's ... certainly something that may happen," she said.

    PHOTO: Donald Trump Participates In Fox News Town Hall
    Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, participates in a Fox News Town Hall with Sean Hannity at the New Holland Arena on September 4, 2024, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
    Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

    -ABC News' Soorin Kim, Lalee Ibssa and Kelsey Walsh

    10 hours and 30 minutes ago

    Here are the rules for tonight’s debate

    Tonight’s consequential presidential debate hosted by ABC News will consist of set rules to govern the matchup, restricting candidates’ speaking time, microphone access, and engagement with campaign staff.

    There will be no audience present, and questions will come strictly from the moderators.

    After winning the virtual coin flip, former President Trump will offer the final closing statement.

    Read more here.

    10 hours and 32 minutes ago

    Harris campaign to display drone show before debate

    The Harris campaign will fly a drone show over the Philadelphia Art Museum from 8:05 to 8:25 p.m. ET at the famous Rocky Steps, just prior to the debate on Tuesday.

    The show will add onto the campaign’s Philly-themed advertising and recent ad mocking Trump and crowd sizes, according to campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz.

    – ABC News’ Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Fritz Farrow, and Will McDuffie

    9 hours and 38 minutes ago

    What to watch for on the economy during the debate

    The verbal joust Tuesday night between Trump and Harris will touch on a range of issues, but none may be more important than the economy, which often ranks as the top priority among voters.

    ABC News spoke to experts about what they will be watching for when the debate turns to the economy.

    ABC News business reporter Alexis Christoforous on what many voters says is a top issue in the upcoming election.
    ABC News business reporter Alexis Christoforous on what many voters says is a top issue in the upcoming election.

    They said they'll be looking for everything from the amount of substantive discussion, to the relevance of Biden’s legacy, to the prevalence of topics like inflation and taxes.

    Read more here to learn what to watch for on the economy during the match-up, according to experts.

    Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump and Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
    AP

    -ABC News’ Max Zahn