Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center has been chosen as the site for the first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The event will occur on Tuesday, September 10, at 9 p.m. EST. It will be hosted by ABC News with the network’s David Muir and Linsey Davis as moderators, according to a press release.
The museum, which opened on July 4, 2003, is dedicated to celebrating “the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution.” Its website dubs the Center as the nation’s leading “platform for constitutional education and debate” that also “brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits.” It is widely recognized as “America’s Town Hall” that brings together leaders from both sides of the political aisle “to debate the Constitution on all media platforms.”
“The National Constitution Center’s mission is to model civil dialogue and debate and we are honored to be selected as the location for the presidential debate in September,” Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, said in a statement. “Presidential debates are a meaningful opportunity for all Americans to learn more about the principles that define American democracy, embodied in the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the American idea.”
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A press release noted that the museum previously hosted the 2008 Democratic primary presidential debate and two town halls in 2020 with then-President Trump and then-candidate Joe Biden. The museum also hosts the annual Liberty Medal award ceremony, which honors “people around the globe who have committed themselves to the blessings of liberty.” Past recipients include former Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), former President George W. Bush, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, among others.
Currently, the debate at the Constitution Center is the only agreed-upon debate between the presidential candidates. Previously, Trump reportedly agreed to have three debates with Harris, one of which included a debate hosted by Fox News. However, on Monday night, Trump posted on his Truth Social account that Harris has refused to do the debate on Fox News, which was tentatively scheduled for Sept. 4.
It remains to be seen whether any other debates will happen in the future.
