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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, 4:47 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.

    9 hours and 36 minutes ago

    RNC Chairman Michael Whatley says Trump's 'rested,' 'relaxed' and 'ready to go'

    In an interview Tuesday with ABC News' Kyra Phillips, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley said it was unfair of the Harris campaign to suggest Trump would lie on stage tonight.

    He also confirmed that Trump will stray away from personal attacks, and that the former president was not nervous.

    RNC chairman Michael Whatley speaks about the positive momentum going into tonight's debate for Trump and the unity the Republican Party has despite some not supporting the party's nominee.
    RNC chairman Michael Whatley speaks about the positive momentum going into tonight's debate for Trump and the unity the Republican Party has despite some not supporting the party's nominee.

    "He feels very comfortable. He's rested, he's relaxed, and he's definitely ready to go," Whatley said.

    Whatley also said "this is the most united the Republican Party has been in generations."

    – ABC News’ Kelsey Walsh

    9 hours and 47 minutes ago

    Sen. JD Vance headlining debate watch party fundraiser in Philadelphia tonight: Sources

    The Trump campaign's debate watch party in Philadelphia tonight will take form in a fundraiser with Sen. JD Vance headlining the event, according to sources and an invitation obtained by ABC News.

    The invitation doesn't detail the location, other guests or speakers of the night.

    Tickets range from $5,000 to $50,000, with a photo opportunity costing $15,000 and a VIP ticket costing $25,000, the invitation shows.

    -ABC News' Soo Rin Kim, Hannah Demissie, Lalee Ibssa, and Kelsey Walsh

    10 hours and 13 minutes ago

    Presidential candidates haven't shaken hands at debate since 2016

    There are no rules requiring Harris and Trump to shake hands before or after the debate.

    If they do, it would mark the first time since 2016 that the candidates have shaken hands. Trump and Biden did not shake hands during their two matchups in 2020.

    Trump contracted COVID-19 following the first debate.

    The two candidates also didn't shake their hands during the June debate.

    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