Harris campaign refuses to sign off on muted mic debate rules: Still 'in discussions' with ABC

The Harris campaign says it won't sign off on the rules for the upcoming ABC News presidential debate over the microphones being muted.

The Sept. 10 debate was supposed to maintain the same guidelines previously agreed upon by the Biden and Trump campaigns, which included that mics be muted outside of speaking time.

However, the Harris campaign claims the rules are still not set and it is in negotiations with ABC.

"Our latest understanding is that even though Trump said Monday he would be fine with an unmuted mic, his handlers don’t trust him to spar live with VP Harris and are asking ABC to ignore Trump’s comments and keep the mics muted or else they will back out of the debate for a third time," Harris spokesperson Brian Fallon wrote on X Thursday.

The post continued, "We have been asked to accede to Trump’s handlers’ wishes on this point for the sake of preserving the debate. We find the Trump’s team’s stance to be weak, and remain in discussions with ABC on the final rules."

TRUMP, HARRIS SET FOR PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE ON ABC ON SEPTEMBER 10

Fallon later responded to an X post from CNN correspondent Hadas Gold who reported, "Harris campaign says they've been asked to let it go on the mics so the debate can go on. Don't seem to be doing that. Per a formal list of debate rules ABC sent out, mics would be muted and largely mirror the CNN rules."

"The memo sent by ABC is a draft set of rules that both campaigns need to sign off on and indicate agreement. We have not done so because we think both candidates have expressed a clear desire to have hot mics. Not clear why Trump staff is overruling their principal, who should be capable of making up his own mind," Fallon insisted.

He added, "Can confirm this is the only remaining