WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump’s debate strategy against Vice President Kamala Harris is quite clear: launch multiple attacks. However, he admits that what will actually happen during the debate on Tuesday remains unpredictable.

Referring to debates as spontaneous events, Trump prepared his supporters for the upcoming confrontation in Philadelphia by quoting boxing legend Mike Tyson: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

“You can enter the debate with all the tactics in the world, but you really have to adapt to the flow of the discussion as it happens,” Trump shared during a Fox News town hall in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania last week.

Despite this uncertainty, Trump and his team indicated that he intends to confront Harris on several key topics such as the economy, inflation, and immigration, and he is likely to make some personal jabs, despite advice from allies to focus on substantial issues.

Additionally, Trump has been managing expectations and trying to provoke the moderators by questioning the impartiality of the debate’s organizers, ABC News.

“It’s going to be an interesting night,” Trump remarked to Fox.

Preparation Tactics

Similar to his prior debates against Democratic opponents like Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, Trump’s preparation this time follows his characteristic unconventional style: engaging in talks with advisors, conducting interviews, and delivering speeches.

This time, however, he is engaging in discussions with former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who previously ran for president as a Democrat and criticized Harris in an early primary debate in 2019.

Trump is aiming for a repeat of his debate performance on June 27 against Biden, during which Biden’s poor showing significantly affected his campaign. The recently withdrawn 81-year-old Biden quickly endorsed Harris after his exit on July 21.

Since then, Trump has shifted between policy critiques and personal insults directed at Harris, while also acknowledging that his team urges him to stay focused on the topics at hand.

Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota and a potential running mate for Trump, stated on NBC’s “Meet The Press” that “when he focuses on issues and policies those are the winning points.”

According to Trump’s senior advisor Jason Miller, a key focus for Trump is to connect Harris with Biden on domestic and international policy failures. “She is accountable for every misstep of the Harris-Biden administration,” Miller stated.

Attacking Harris

Since Harris entered the race, Trump has ridiculed her name, her ethnicity, and even her laughter. He has made unfounded claims labeling her as a “communist” and “Marxist,” using language that is unusual for a candidate from a major political party.

Political analysts indicated that while Trump’s conservative supporters enjoy his personal attacks, such tactics often alienate moderate and independent voters who perceive political discourse as overly negative and divisive.

Pollster Frank Luntz noted that Trump risks distancing voters by veering into personal criticisms, as he did recently.

Last Friday, he held a “news conference” that involved no questions from the press and was centered on complaining about various women’s allegations against him. Over the weekend, he posted vehement messages on Truth Social threatening to prosecute rivals for alleged misconduct related to his 2020 election defeat.

“The conditions are right for him to win this election,” Luntz commented, “but similar to 2020, his persona could be his downfall.”

‘Setting Low Expectations, Engaging the Moderators’

Like a seasoned boxer, Trump must also be ready to defend himself.

Following the June 27 debate, Democrats noted that coverage of Biden’s struggles often overshadowed Trump’s numerous falsehoods about their administration. Harris and her team have indicated they will highlight this in the upcoming debate.

“We need to prepare ourselves for the fact that he is not bound by the truth,” Harris expressed in an interview with radio host Rickey Smiley, stating that Trump relies on an “old and tired strategy.”

While he maintains his typical confidence, Trump is also gearing up for a potentially rough debate night by employing the classic tactic of lowering expectations.

In this instance, Trump has publicly criticized the debate organizers.

Trump has accused ABC News of being biased against him, suggesting that his remarks may also serve to intimidate those who ask him questions.

When discussing his approach to upcoming debates during a Fox News town hall, Trump stated, “A lot will depend on whether ABC is fair. If they are not, my approach will change.”

Prior to his debate with Biden, Trump voiced similar grievances against CNN.

Aaron Kall, a debate coach at the University of Michigan who has analyzed all of Trump’s past debates, pointed out that this reflects a more conventional method of preparing for a debate for a candidate known for his unconventional style.

“It’s about managing expectations,” he explained. “It’s about influencing the moderators.”