Throughout the entire debate, Trump constantly interrupted Harris and talked over her and the moderators—even when they were trying to move on. It’s unacceptable and cannot happen again at the next debate.

Sign the petition to demand that the news network and moderators hosting the next presidential debate hold Trump accountable for his lies and constant interruptions!

Dear MoveOn member,

During last Tuesday’s debate, Vice President Kamala Harris showed up and showed out. She proved to voters that she is prepared to lead on Day 1 and that she will continue to fight for our communities, our freedoms, and our democracy.¹ Harris exposed Trump's dangerous Project 2025 plans that, if implemented, would give him unchecked powers to eliminate abortion access, hurt working- and middle-class people, fire civil servants, eliminate Social Security and Medicare, and roll back our rights and freedoms while reshaping all aspects of the government.

And while she talked about her real plans to improve the everyday lives of the American people, Trump showed voters that he is more impulsive and dangerous than ever. Throughout the entire night, Trump constantly interrupted Harris and talked over her and the moderators—even when they were trying to move on. It was exhausting and frustrating to watch, especially when all parties agreed to the mics being off when it wasn't their turn. In fact, Trump spoke for nearly six minutes (mostly out of turn) more than Harris did.² This cannot happen again at the next debate.

Will you sign the petition to demand that networks and moderators do more to hold Trump accountable for his lies and constant interruptions at the next debate?

Unfortunately, Trump rudely interrupting his opponents and moderators during debates is not new. In the last election cycle's first debate, former President Trump constantly interrupted both President Biden and Chris Wallace, launching into long tirades and petty insults. The interruptions were so frequent that Wallace at one point joked about switching seats with Trump, because Trump was effectively controlling the debate.³ This debacle did little to inform the public and served to confuse and frustrate viewers. The debates were called "chaotic" and "unwatchable."⁴

Chris Wallace, the moderator, struggled to maintain order, turning the debate into a disorganized mess rather than an informative discussion.⁵ This cannot be the norm.

We deserve presidential debates that help everyday Americans make informed decisions about the future of our country.

Sign the petition NOW to demand that more be done to hold Trump accountable during the next presidential debate and then share it with three friends to spread the word.

Trump said he will not debate Harris again, but this is what he said about the debate that happened last Tuesday.⁶

If he shows up, it is so important that Vice President Harris gets equal opportunities to speak without being interrupted. But at the debate, because of Trump’s interruptions and insistence on responding to everything Harris said, Trump got to speak for nearly six minutes more than Harris did.⁷

The role of the media is crucial in upholding democratic processes. News outlets and moderators that host the next presidential debate have the opportunity to set a standard for responsible journalism by implementing measures to ensure the debate coverage is conducted with integrity and fairness.

We need to let networks and moderators know that the public is watching and expecting them to follow through with debate standards, using every tool at their disposal to hold candidates accountable.

Click here to sign the petition, and then send it to three friends to spread the word.

Thanks for all you do.

–Jensine, Aliya, Sana, David, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Harris' debate victory could be unlike any other," MSNBC, September 12, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/196948?t=7&akid=406532%2E40999114%2EDkLvTq

2. "Who spoke the most — and least — in the debate," CNN, September 11, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/196949?t=9&akid=406532%2E40999114%2EDkLvTq

3. "Research note: Lies and presidential debates: How political misinformation spread across media streams during the 2020 election," Harvard Kennedy School, December 17, 2021
https://act.moveon.org/go/193635?t=11&akid=406532%2E40999114%2EDkLvTq

4."Trump's false or misleading claims total 30,573 over 4 years," The Washington Post, January 24, 2021
https://act.moveon.org/go/159809?t=13&akid=406532%2E40999114%2EDkLvTq

5. "Analysis: US presidential debate quickly devolves into disgrace without strong moderation," CNN, September 29, 2020
https://act.moveon.org/go/193633?t=15&akid=406532%2E40999114%2EDkLvTq

6. "Trump says he won’t do another debate with Harris," The Hill, September 12, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/196950?t=17&akid=406532%2E40999114%2EDkLvTq

7. "Who spoke the most — and least — in the debate," CNN, September 11, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/196949?t=19&akid=406532%2E40999114%2EDkLvTq

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