Trump threatens to pull out of debate as ex-Republican staffers endorse Harris

The campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris clashed yesterday over next month’s U.S. presidential debate, with the vice president’s team seeking a return to open microphones while her Republican rival threatened to pull out entirely from the September 10 debate, suggesting the previously agreed-upon ABC network was biased.

“Why would I do the Debate against Harris on that network?” Trump, who is making his third bid for the White House, wrote in a social media post hurling a trademark “fake news” slur at ABC that had agreed to host it.

Harris spokesperson, Brian Fallon, said the vice president’s campaign wanted the broadcaster to keep the candidates’ microphones on throughout the event, not muted when their opponent was speaking as in the last presidential debate.

So-called “hot mics” can help or hurt political candidates, catching off-hand comments that may not be meant for the public.

“The Vice President is ready to deal with Trump’s constant lies and interruptions in real time. Trump should stop hiding behind the mute button,” Fallon said in a statement.

Trump campaign senior adviser, Jason Miller, said in a statement they had already agreed to the same terms as CNN’s June debate, which had muted microphones, adding: “We said no changes to the agreed-upon rules.”

Meanwhile, more than 200 former Republican staffers who worked for former president George W Bush, and senators John McCain and Mitt Romney, have signed a letter endorsing Harris.

The letter reads in part: “Of course, we have plenty of honest, ideological disagreements with Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz. That’s to be expected. The alternative, however, is simply untenable.

“At home, another four years of Donald Trump’s chaotic leadership, this time focused on advancing the dangerous goals of Project 2025, will hurt real, everyday people and weaken our sacred institutions.”

Abroad, democratic movements will be irreparably jeopardized as Trump and his acolyte JD Vance kowtow to dictators like Vladimir Putin while turning their backs on our allies.