Anonymous sources are telling news media that despite the Trump campaign bragging that the former president doesn’t need to do much homework for his upcoming debate with Kamala Harris, that there’s plenty of preparation going on behind the scenes.
Trump is scheduled to debate Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrat party nominee for president, on Tuesday, September 10, on the ABC network.
These undisclosed sources say Trump is working with a team including Matt Gaetz (R-Fl.) and Tulsi Gabbard, former Democrat congresswoman from Hawaii. Gabbard recently shocked the leftist establishment by leaving the Democratic party in 2022. Then she upped the ante in late August by joining fellow independent and recent presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who suspended his campaign to endorse Donald Trump.
Trump is apparently holding sessions with Gaetz, Gabbard, and others on how best to approach the upcoming debate. Gaetz has been peppering Trump with the kinds of questions he might get from moderators and his adversary, such as the numerous legal cases he’s facing and his federal indictments on allegations of election interference and illegally retaining classified documents. Other topics coming up behind closed doors are how to respond to questions about his position on abortion.
The team is apparently working on how to counter Harris if she pulls out one of her favorite tactics: positioning herself as a woman being abused by a sexist man. Harris has used the “I’m speaking” line many times, even when she’s not being interrupted, in order to create the perception that she is at a disadvantage as a woman being ganged up on by mean men.
For her part, Harris seems to be sticking to tried and true methods of debate preparation such as mock debates.
Harris has taken criticism for not having a policy platform on her campaign website, and for being unable to offer articulate answers when questioned on the spot and off teleprompter by reporters. Her campaign has been trying to create an aura around her and running mate Tim Walz by using the word “joy” frequently. Some commentators say this indicates that her campaign is about “vibes” and feelings rather than about substantive political questions.
