Trump vs Harris Presidential Debate: Candidates go on attack in zinger-filled showdown

Harris selected the right podium position on stage. The two candidates will remain standing for the 90-minute debate.

ABC7 Chicago's Liz Nagy goes through each of the 16 rules in the ABC debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump.

There will be no opening statements, though each candidate will get two minutes at the end to give their closing arguments to the American people. Trump will offer the last closing statement after winning the coin toss.

The candidates can't bring notes on stage. Candidates will only be given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water. They cannot interact with their campaign staff during commercial breaks.

Their microphones will only be live when it is their turn to speak and muted otherwise. Harris and Trump will get two minutes to respond to questions by the moderators and two minutes for rebuttals. They cannot ask each other questions.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a top Trump antagonist, tore into the former president as unable to resist personal attacks and "boring" on the trail.

"He doesn't know any other way. He's incapable of not doing that," Newsom said when asked if Trump would attack Harris' personality. "This is a guy who's just weakness masquerading as strength."

Newsom said he expects Harris to "rise above" the attacks but to also "counterpunch."

"She's new, she's the next generation. He's old, he's stale, he's derivative, he's, dare I say it, boring," Newsom added.

"Race for the White House," ABC News' prime-time pre-debate special, premiered at 8 p.m. ET.

The special is anchored by chief global affairs correspondent and "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz, chief Washington correspondent and "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl, chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce and senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott.

You can watch live on ABC, ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu.

Kamala Harris' Deputy Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks said the Vice President has been working for the people all of her life and in tonight's debate she will demonstrate that.

Fulks said Harris will contrast her plans against Donald Trump.

"There is only one candidate who cares about the middle class," he said.