Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have finally come face to face for the very first time! I know, right? It’s like finding out Batman and Superman have never grabbed coffee together.
So, there they were, strutting onto the stage at the ABC News-Hosted Presidential Debate (September 10th, mark your calendars) at the prestigious National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And, in true Trump fashion, he beelined straight to his podium like it was the last seat at a sold-out movie. No chit-chat, no “Hey, how’s it going?”—just pure avoidance vibes.
But wait! Kamala Harris wasn’t about to let him pull a disappearing act. Oh no, she marched right over, as if to say, “Not today, Donnie!” and extended her hand like a champion. Trump, cornered, had no choice but to give in and awkwardly mutter, “Nice to see you.” The handshake was brief but historic, like two boxers tapping gloves before a match… if those boxers were also forced to smile and pretend they were on a polite brunch date.
Now, let’s talk about this debate setup, which honestly sounds like something out of a reality TV show designed by a librarian. Ninety minutes long, with two commercial breaks (because even democracy needs snack time), and two moderators are the sole people allowed to ask questions. That’s right, the audience has been completely ghosted for this one.
The candidates? They have to stay glued to their podiums the whole time—no pacing, no dramatic walk-offs. Just standing like mannequins at a department store sale. And get this: no pre-written notes. That means no cheat sheets, no fortune cookies, no tiny scrolls tucked into jacket pockets. They’re allowed one pen and one pad of paper. I’m not saying the pen might be mightier than the sword here, but it could lead to some epic doodles.
The rules even cover the mics. They’re only hot when it’s your turn to speak, so no sneaky commentary or snarky asides. Oh, and here’s the kicker—candidates aren’t even allowed to ask each other questions. So, if you’re hoping for a juicy “Did you seriously just say that?” moment, you’ll have to wait until the after-party.
Candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump shake hands as they take the stage in their first presidential debate. https://t.co/tkEn0wzLvL #ABCDebate pic.twitter.com/X68E3Fzi6R
— ABC News (@ABC) September 11, 2024
