The rules of the ABC News presidential debate Tuesday stated that each candidate’s microphone would be muted when the other candidate was speaking, in an attempt to prevent them from interrupting each other.
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, however, frequently spoke when their microphones were off.
Harris, in particular, vocally protested statements made by Trump, making a point of describing his statements as false.
A pool of reporters for the vice president were allowed into the audience-less debate room to observe the moments when the candidates spoke out, even though it was muted on their microphone.
Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris listens to former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris
Here is what they reported:
10:11 pm – When the moderator, David Muir, asked Trump a second time whether he wanted Ukraine to win its war with Russia, and he did not say so, Harris, off-camera, bit her lip and shook her head.
10:12 pm – After Harris said Trump would abandon Ukraine and that Putin would eat Trump for lunch, Trump said off-mic: ‘Excuse me, I have to respond to that.’
10:21 pm – Harris smirked when Muir asked Trump to explain his comments about her race.
10:27 pm – In an off-mic exchange, Trump said: ‘She has a plan to destroy our country.’ Harris replied, ‘that’s not true.’
10:29 pm – Harris audibly laughed when Trump said he has a ‘concept of a plan’ on healthcare.
10:34 pm – Harris whispered ‘not true’ when Trump said the United States has bled manufacturing jobs in recent months.
9:25 pm — When Trump said he has been a leader on championing IVF treatments, Harris whispered in disdain, ‘You have not. Come on.’
9:28 pm — When Trump said people don’t go to Harris’ rallies, off-camera, Harris threw her head back in laughter.
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris
US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris listens to former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speak d
9:29 pm — When Trump said immigrants are eating cats in Springfield Ohio, off-mic, Harris started laughing and said, ‘What? This is unbelievable.’
9:34 pm — When Trump said that crime rates are coming down around the world except in the United States, and that crime here is spiking, Harris said off-mic, ‘not true.’
9:35 pm – Trump gasped when Harris raised his criminal indictments and felony convictions.
9:39 pm – Trump said off-mic and off-camera, following up on the exchange over his allegations of political prosecutions against him: ‘She is the one that weaponized.’
9:42 pm — When Trump accused Harris of being against fracking for twelve years, she said off-mic, ‘that’s not true.’ When he said she was in favor of defunding the police, she again said off-mic, ‘that’s not true.’ He then told her he was speaking. ‘Don’t lie,’ she replied.
9:10 pm — When Harris said the former president doesn’t have a plan for you, Trump said off-mic: ‘That’s just a soundbite. They gave her that to say.’
9:14 pm – When Trump said the United States barely makes (computer) chips anymore, Harris said off-mic: ‘Not too. That’s not true.’
9:16 pm – 9:17 pm — When Trump said Democrats want abortion access in the ninth month of pregnancy, Harris said off-mic, separately: ‘C’mon,’ ‘no’ and ‘that’s not true.’