Will Trump blow the U.S. presidential debate? His allies say he has the best chance to regain ground against Harris

Donald Trump, the former president, may have his best opportunity to regain momentum in the presidential contest on Tuesday during the debate. Some Republicans worry that he may miss this chance. Trump has been advised by his advisors and prominent GOP officials for weeks to focus on criticizing her policy record, but he has not indicated that he is willing to back down from personal attacks.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich predicted that Harris would come in very, very aggressive, and she'll try to bait him, getting very angry, and she'll be personal and try to demean him. Gingrich hopes that Trump will be a man who has served as a real president, whereas she has served as a sort of semi-vice president, a man who is well-connected to world leaders, a man who has experienced a great deal, and a man who will simply remain composed and adhere to the true differences. That's a hope that some of the renowned erratic and blustery former president's allies are calling on a higher power.

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Tricia McLaughlin, one of several Republican strategists who expressed concerns about Trump's ability to refrain from personal attacks, said that she prays that he can be disciplined. McLaughlin noted that Trump might lash out if he feels like he's being singled out by Harris and the debate moderators, David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC. McLaughlin has good reason to be uncertain about Trump's response as a former senior advisor to Vivek Ramaswamy during his presidential campaign. Trump has previously attempted to undermine ABC's objectivity by referring to the network as dishonest and the worst network in terms of fairness. He also doesn't seem to care that allies are worried about abstaining from insults. The former president appeared to disagree when podcaster Lex Fridman recently urged Trump to discuss a positive vision of the future versus criticizing the other side.

Trump previously claimed that he is entitled to personal attacks on Harris, following backlash against him for raising doubts about her race. Republicans have recently cautioned Trump against adopting this tactic.

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The upcoming debate is seen as a critical opportunity for Donald Trump to regain momentum in the presidential race. Republicans like Lindsey Graham and strategists urge Trump to focus on policy differences rather than insults, fearing that aggressive behaviour may hurt his chances. With Harris positioned as a tough opponent, Trump’s advisers suggest he contrast his record with hers on issues like the economy and immigration. This debate is viewed as a crucial moment for both candidates, with high stakes for Trump’s campaign trajectory.

FAQs

Why are Republicans worried?
Politicians worry that Trump's excessive focus on disparaging Kamala Harris could hurt his candidacy and drive away swing voters.

Why is the debate important?
Trump's best chance to catch up in the race is thought to be during this debate, but his success will depend on his capacity to remain focused on the issues of policy.