Former President Donald Trump has taken to his social media platform, Truth Social, to claim that the upcoming ABC presidential debate will not permit any adjustments to the nominees' height behind the podium. Trump's statement comes amid his past feud with former New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg, whom he repeatedly accused of requesting to stand on a box during a Democratic primary debate.
Former President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by claiming that the upcoming ABC presidential debate will not allow for any adjustments to the candidates' height behind the podium. Trump made the statement in a Saturday post on his proprietary social media platform, Truth Social.
Trump Claims ABC Presidential Debate Will Not Allow Adjustments to Candidate's Height
"No boxes or artificial lifts will be allowed to stand on [sic] during my upcoming debate with Comrade Kamala Harris," Trump wrote. "We had this out previously with former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg when he was in a debate, and he was not allowed a "lift."
Trump claimed that allowing such adjustments would constitute cheating and that "the Democrats cheat enough." He added, "'You are who you are,' it was determined!"
Trump Claims ABC Presidential Debate Will Not Allow Adjustments to Candidate's Height
It is unclear whether Trump's statement is based on actual discussions with ABC or merely speculation. The former president has a history of making unsubstantiated claims, particularly when it comes to the media and his opponents.
Trump's post references his past feud with Bloomberg, whom he frequently mocked as "Mini Mike Bloomberg" during the former mayor's 2020 Democratic nomination bid. Trump repeatedly asserted that Bloomberg had requested to stand on a box during his Democratic primary debate, but this claim was never confirmed by Bloomberg's campaign.
Trump Claims ABC Presidential Debate Will Not Allow Adjustments to Candidate's Height
"The president is lying," a spokesperson for Bloomberg's 2020 campaign stated at the time. "He is a pathological liar who lies about everything: his fake hair, his obesity, and his spray-on tan."
Vice President Kamala Harris, who is expected to face off against Trump in the upcoming debate, clarified her own height during an interview with "Today" host Katie Couric earlier this year. Harris stated that she is 5'4" and a quarter, but with heels, she stands at 5'7" and a half.
Trump Claims ABC Presidential Debate Will Not Allow Adjustments to Candidate's Height
Trump's own height has been variously reported as 6'2" and 6'3". The former president has been known to use elevated footwear to appear taller, but it is unclear whether he will be allowed to do so during the upcoming debate.
The ABC presidential debate is scheduled to take place on September 29th. The debate will be moderated by George Stephanopoulos and will focus on a wide range of issues, including the economy, healthcare, and foreign policy.
The rules and regulations for the debate have not been fully disclosed by ABC, but it is likely that candidates will be allowed to stand behind podiums of their own choosing. However, it is unclear whether any adjustments to the podiums' height will be permitted.
The upcoming debate is a highly anticipated event in the 2024 presidential race. Trump and Harris are considered to be the frontrunners for their respective parties, and their performance in the debate could have a significant impact on the outcome of the election.
