Harris and Trump set to square off in high-stakes US presidential debate

Donald Trump has arrived in Philadelphia for a potentially game-changing televised debate with Kamala Harris, the rivals’ first and possibly only clash before November’s knife-edge US presidential election.

The stakes could hardly be higher for the Democratic vice president and Republican former president, with tens of millions of American voters expected to watch them at 9 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesday (4 a.m. Wednesday in Israel).

A single zinger or gaffe during the 90-minute debate could tip the balance of one of the most dramatic White House races in US history, with the candidates neck-and-neck in the polls just 56 days before the November 5 vote.

Trump, 78, touched down in his plane — dubbed Trump Force One — just over two hours ahead of the ABC News-hosted broadcast, while Harris had arrived in the eastern city on Monday.

The pressure is arguably greater for Harris, America’s first female, Black and South Asian vice president, as she takes part in her first presidential debate.

It will be a critical chance to win over voters who still know little about her, as polls showing her honeymoon starting to fade after jumping into the race to replace 81-year-old President Joe Biden in July.

Former reality TV star Trump will attack Harris on issues like the economy and immigration, but may also unleash more of the racist and sexist insults that he’s directed her way during the campaign.

Harris, who enjoys a significant advantage among women according to the polls, is expected to press Trump on reproductive rights after his contradictory comments recently on abortion access.

The debate will be held without an audience, while the rivals’ microphones will only be on when it’s their turn to speak and remain muted otherwise.