Trump dubs ABC News 'nasty' as he makes major allegations ahead of presidential debate with Harris

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: Donald Trump has accused ABC News of being ‘very nasty’ and potentially rigging his upcoming debate against Kamala Harris.

The former president voiced his suspicions during a Fox News town hall in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, September 4, suggesting the Disney-owned network might give Harris a strategic edge by leaking debate questions in advance.

“They’re going to get the questions,” Trump asserted, speaking with Fox host Sean Hannity. “I’ve already heard they’re going to get the questions in advance. I’m not sure it’s gonna help her that much.” 

Donald Trump claims ABC will help Kamala Harris cheat in debate 

The debate is scheduled to take place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday, September 10, moderated by ABC’s David Muir and Linsey Davis, with no audience present.  

It will last for 90 minutes and will feature two commercial breaks. Notably, this will be the first debate following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 race in July.

Trump, who only agreed to this debate because Harris declined invitations from other networks, slammed ABC News as “very nasty” and “unfair.”

“They’re very nasty, and I think a lot of people are going to be watching to see how nasty they are, how unfair they are,” Trump said. He also questioned the network's integrity, alleging Harris’ close connections to Disney executive Dana Walden and her husband’s friendship with the network head would bias the proceedings.

"Her husband's best friend is married to the head of the network," he added.

Donald Trump claims ABC News manipulates polls to discourage his supporters

Donald Trump also accused ABC News of manipulating poll results to discourage his supporters from voting. “ABC is the worst network in terms of fairness,” he lamented, recalling a poll that showed him significantly behind in Wisconsin.

"They had a poll where I was 17 points down a couple of days prior to the election – I was 17 points down in Wisconsin. And they do that so people don't vote because people say, you know, 'hey, I love Trump, but he's 17 points down. I'm not going to go out and vote.' They are the most dishonest network – the meanest, the nastiest, but that was what I was presented with. I was presented with ABC."

Trump stated that the contract includes a "clause" prohibiting ABC News from providing either candidate with the questions or debate prompts before the event next week.

Despite alleging that Harris might get debate questions in advance, Trump expressed skepticism about the actual impact this would have. “You might give her the questions and give her the answers with the questions,” Trump said, “I’m not sure it’s going to help her.”

ABC News announces presidential debate rules and format

The final debate rules stipulate that microphones will be muted when not in use, candidates will stand behind podiums, and no prepared notes or props will be allowed on stage. The microphone rules are the same as those followed by Biden and Trump during their CNN debate in June.

Candidates will have two minutes to respond to questions and two minutes for rebuttals, with an extra minute provided for follow-ups, clarifications, or responses. The rules prohibit candidates from posing questions to one another.

They will be provided with a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water, but prewritten notes or props are not permitted. Additionally, campaign staff are barred from interacting with their candidates during commercial breaks.