Donald Trump, Kamala Harris brace for fiery US presidential debate: 6 things to watch out for

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to face off in a highly anticipated presidential debate on Tuesday night.

The debate, being hosted by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, will begin at 9pm ET (6.30am IST Wednesday).

Also read: When & where to watch US Presidential debate

It comes just eight weeks before the November 5 election and will set the tone for the high-volate race between the two leaders, who are already neck-and-neck in opinion polls.

It also comes close on the heels of an earlier debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, who has since dropped out of the White House race and nominated Harris in his place.

The debate marks the first time Trump and Harris will meet on stage and is expected to be fiery and charged since both the candidates have been highly critical of one another.

Harris, aiming to introduce herself to voters who remain unfamiliar with her, will focus on key issues such as abortion rights and the economy. With over a quarter of likely voters unsure about her, Harris faces the pressure to clearly present her policies and vision for the country.

Trump, who has been preparing through informal discussions and media appearances rather than traditional debate rehearsals, will likely emphasize his stance on immigration and economic issues.

His campaign has suggested that he may focus on illegal immigration and high consumer prices, portraying Harris as too liberal.

Notably, the debate format will also include muted microphones when a candidate is not speaking, a measure that was implemented to prevent interruptions. The setup was included after criticism of Trump's performance in previous debates, where his interruptions and combative style came  under scrutiny.

Both candidates will address various high-stakes issues during the debate.

Harris is expected to criticize Trump’s record on abortion, linking him to restrictive state laws and the controversial Project 2025. Trump, in turn, will likely attack Harris’s record on immigration and high consumer prices while trying to distance her from the Biden administration’s policies.

Here are the 6 key things to watch for in the debate:

Harris’s Policy Message: How effectively Harris communicates her policy agenda and addresses the knowledge gap voters have about her.

Trump’s Debate Performance: The nature of Trump’s performance, especially given his tendency to digress and o make controversial statements.

Focus on Biden’s Record: It will be crucial to see how both candidates handle the topic of President Biden's record and whether that influences their arguments.

Abortion Policy Discussion: Another interesting clash may happen when Harris challenges Trump on his stance and record regarding the hot-button issues of abortion and reproductive rights.

Middle East and Ukraine Policies: Harris’s stance on the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine versus Trump’s positions and promises will also be keenly watched.

Debate Performance: Lastly, and crucially, the candidates' debate performance will be important. Their ability to effectively communicate, maintain composure, and skillfully counter each other's arguments will significantly impact the overall optics of the debate.

(With inputs from agencies)