In tonight's article, we explore:
- What to expect from tonight’s presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump
- The $1 billion effort to "crush" liberal influence in America
- The impact of the candidates' economic plans on the US deficit
Debate Preview
With Harris currently leading Trump by 2.2 percentage points nationally—down from 3.6 points last week—she is under pressure to deliver a compelling performance. Trump, on the other hand, is eager to regain momentum after Harris’s strong summer.
Here’s what we’ll be watching for:
1. Who Appears More Presidential?
- Harris will be in the spotlight, defending her policies and countering Trump’s attacks for the first time directly.
2. Can Trump Refine His Strategy?
- Trump has struggled with attacking Harris, who has run a campaign light on policy details. The key will be whether Harris can define herself or if Trump will dominate the narrative.
3. Will Harris Hold Trump Accountable?
- Harris may leverage her prosecutorial experience to challenge Trump, emphasizing his criminal background.
4. Economic Proposals and the Budget
- The debate will showcase their economic plans and how they propose to tackle the US’s high cost of living.
5. Capitalizing on Key Issues
- Expect strong positions on abortion from Harris and immigration from Trump, as both candidates aim to assert their strengths.
The debate airs at 9pm Eastern Time. Join FT journalists on September 12 for an exclusive subscriber webinar breaking down the debate outcome. Register [here](https://www.ft.com/tour).
Campaign Highlights:
- Trump threatens to increase tariffs on imports, potentially shaking the global economy.
- Concerns arise from Trump’s allies about his debate performance, particularly if he resorts to personal attacks.
- Record levels of US debt are being issued by companies to mitigate election risk and market volatility.
- Harris expands her lead among Black Americans, according to a new poll.
- Harris's fundraising surpasses Trump’s by a significant margin, with $361 million raised in August compared to Trump’s $130 million.
- There are calls from Harris’s donors for her to remove Lina Khan and Gary Gensler from their positions at the FTC and SEC, respectively.
Behind the Scenes:
Meet Leonard Leo, the conservative activist known for his efforts to secure a conservative majority on the Supreme Court. His latest project involves a $1 billion campaign to counteract liberal influence in corporate America and the media. Leo's Marble Freedom Trust, funded by $1.6 billion from Barre Seid, aims to challenge what he sees as "woke" capitalism and promote conservative values.
Economic Impact:
According to the Penn Wharton Budget Model, both Harris’s and Trump’s economic plans would increase the US deficit. Harris’s plan would add $1.2 trillion over 10 years, while Trump’s would add $5.8 trillion.
Debate Details:
- **Timing:** The 90-minute debate starts at 9pm ET on Tuesday, September 10, at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center.
- **Viewing:** The debate will be broadcast live on ABC, with streaming available on their website, app, Disney+, and Hulu. Major news networks and PBS will also provide live coverage.
- **International:** In the UK, the debate will be aired by BBC and Channel 4. In Australia, it will be available on Channel 9, 9Now, and SBS.
Moderators:
David Muir and Linsey Davis from ABC will moderate the debate.
Debate Rules:
- No opening statements; closing statements will be two minutes per candidate.
- Candidates will stand behind podiums; no props or prewritten notes are allowed.
- No advance disclosure of topics or questions.
- Candidates will have two minutes to answer questions, with two minutes for rebuttals and one minute for additional responses.
What to expect next:
JD Vance and Tim Walz are scheduled for a vice-presidential debate on October 1, hosted by CBS News in New York City. It remains uncertain if Harris and Trump will meet for a second debate.
Financial Times and the Guardian contributed to this article.