The Republicans' Trump and the Democrats' Harris have different goals for the TV duel. The former president wants to stop Harris' opinion momentum and refocus on the economy, immigration, and a "chaotic" world situation. The vice president must continue to present herself and show that she would be a stable leader and commander-in-chief.
Here are five areas that can decide how it goes:
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Can Trump control himself?
In previous debates, Trump has let himself be provoked: He has interrupted, deviated from the subject, and made insults. In 2016, he called his opponent Hillary Clinton a "nasty woman".
It is well known that Republican party strategists think their candidate is best when he is strict and focuses on the economy and border security. But Trump likes to be himself. The question is which version will show up?
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Can Harris explain herself on the border?
Republicans often criticize "border czar" Harris for not having addressed illegal immigration during her time in the White House and claim that she has not visited the country's southern border. That Harris' task was to investigate the root causes of migration from Central America and that she was in the border city of El Paso in 2021 is less well-known. Harris' countermove is expected to mainly be criticism of Trump, who ensured that his party colleagues in Congress voted against the spring's bill on strengthened border security.
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How does Harris take Trump's attacks?
Before the debate, Trump has called Harris unintelligent and a left-wing radical "comrade". He has questioned her Indian-Jamaican background and claimed that she "happened to become black a few years ago", and shared pictures of the vice president in prison clothes.
Harris has dismissed the outbursts as "weird" and claimed that it is "the same old record", something people are tired of. But can she keep her cool in front of the TV cameras?
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Will anyone go viral?
Tens of millions of Americans are expected to watch the debate, but not everyone will see the whole thing. If someone gets a reply that goes viral on social media, it could give a boost. This worked for President Joe Biden four years ago when he, tired of being interrupted by Trump, shouted "Can you shut up, man?"
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How will it go with the issues?
The single most important issue for American voters is the economy. But Harris must also give answers on why she no longer wants to ban fracking for gas and oil extraction and where she really stands on the White House's Israel support in the Gaza War.
Trump will likely get questions about abortion rights, an area where he has changed his stance in recent weeks.
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Who looks like a president?
The presidential election is about feelings. Who gives the impression of being competent enough to handle war, economic challenges, and future pandemics in the White House?
The TV channel ABC is hosting the 90-minute debate, which will be held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the swing state of Pennsylvania. The debate starts at 21 local time, 3 am Swedish time, and has two commercial breaks. It is led by David Muir and Linsey Davis, both news anchors.
The debate, the only one between the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and the Democrats' Kamala Harris, will also be broadcast by CNN, CBS, Fox News, NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, PBS, and BBC. And it will be streamed on ABC News Live, Disney+, and Hulu.
Like in the summer's debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, no audience is allowed in the studio, and the candidates are not allowed to have contact with their advisors during the breaks. On their podiums, there is only paper, pen, and water. When one candidate has the floor, the other's microphone is turned off.
No questions have been made public in advance. The candidates have two minutes to answer and the opposing side gets two-minute response replays.
Sources: ABC and Axios
