ABC News, which is hosting the debate, has shared rules with both campaigns this week. The rules state that there will be no audience at next month’s presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, nor any live microphones or written notes when candidates aren’t speaking.

An anonymous senior Trump campaign official provided a copy of the rules to the Associated Press ahead of Thursday’s network announcement. The Harris campaign insisted on Thursday that it is still talking to ABC about the muting of microphones.

The parameters for the debate on Sept. 10 are essentially identical to those for the debate in June between Trump and President Joe Biden. That debate was a disaster for the incumbent Democrat, which sparked his withdrawal from the campaign. This is the only debate firmly scheduled, and it could be the last time that voters will see Harris and Trump face off before the general election in November.

This week the back and forth over debate rules reached fever pitch, especially on the question of whether microphones should be muted in between speakers.

Harris’ campaign advocated live microphones during the entire debate. In a statement, the campaign said that this practice “fully allows for substantive exchanges” between the candidates.

Biden’s camp had made muting the microphone a condition for him to accept any debates in this year. Some aides regret that decision now, saying that voters were not able to hear Trump’s outbursts.

Ian Sams, Harris’ spokesman, said: “It is interesting that Trump’s handlers insist on muting Trump despite him saying the contrary.” Why won’t they do what the candidate wants?

Trump’s representatives — who at first laughed off the idea of Harris being substituted for Biden as part of a debate arrangement that he originally made in the race with Biden — claimed Harris wanted “a seated discussion, with notes and opening statements”, specifications her campaign denied.

ABC News reports that the candidates won’t be allowed to take notes and will have to stand behind lecterns during the 90 minute debate. David Muir will be the moderator at the National Constitution Center, Philadelphia. Linsey and David Davis are the co-moderators.