(NewsNation) — With four days until the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, the candidates are adopting contrasting approaches to their preparations.
Harris plans to hold a debate camp in Pittsburgh in the days leading up to Tuesday’s event, hosted by ABC News at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Trump is doubling down on his belief that there isn’t much to do when it comes to preparation.
Harris hunkers down in Pittsburgh
Harris’ prep includes mock debates against a stand-in for Trump, with the assistance of Philippe Reines, a former aide to Hilliary Clinton who also helped her with debates in 2016.
Her strategy focuses on coaxing Trump into outbursts that could go viral on social media.
She’s also practicing under the debate’s rules, which state that candidates’ mics must be muted when it’s not their turn to speak.
Each candidate will have two minutes for answers and rebuttals. While props and notes are prohibited, nominees will be provided with a pen and paper.
Trump blasts ABC over alleged ties to Harris
Trump’s campaign claims there isn’t much for him to prepare for, as this is his seventh debate — more than any candidate in history.
To assist with his preparations, the campaign has enlisted former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. The Democrat-turned-independent challenged Harris in a debate during the 2020 Democratic primary over her record as a prosecutor.
Trump has repeatedly criticized ABC News, accusing the network of being unfair to him and having close ties with the Harris campaign, which he may use as a defense if he does poorly in the debate.
