US elections: Trump, Harris hold 1st debate

With less than two months to go when Americans will cast their ballots for president, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have confronted each other in their first debate today. However, it was not the first debate of the campaign. Trump faced Joe Biden on stage in June, weeks before the president dropped out of the […]

US elections: Trump, Harris hold 1st debate

Trump, Harris hold 1st debate

With less than two months to go when Americans will cast their ballots for president, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have confronted each other in their first debate today.

However, it was not the first debate of the campaign. Trump faced Joe Biden on stage in June, weeks before the president dropped out of the race.

The race between Harris and Trump remains extremely close, both nationally and in the swing states that will decide the outcome.

It took place live on the US network ABC from the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The event lasted 90 minutes, with two commercial breaks, with no audience in the room.

It was streamed live on the BBC News channel and the BBC News website and app via our live page.

No topics or questions were shared in advance with the candidates or their campaign teams, and no props or pre-written notes were allowed on stage.

Both candidates only had a pen, notepad and water bottle, with no chance to interact with campaign staff during commercial breaks.

Neither was permitted to step away from their lecterns – as Trump did against Hillary Clinton in 2016.