Kamala Harris is preparing for her ‘do or die’ debate against presidential rival Donald Trump on Tuesday by practising against an aide wearing an orange wig, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The US Vice President has spent all week in intense preparations for the 90-minute debate in Philadelphia, which many believe will decide the outcome of November’s presidential election.
Ms Harris has been staging twice-daily mock debates in a room full of advisers, with close aide Philippe Reines playing the role of Mr Trump, complete with orange wig and three-inch platforms in his shoes to make him the same imposing height as the 6ft 3in former President.
An informed source told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Kamala knows this is her do or die moment. You only have to look at the first debate and what happened to Joe Biden to know how high the stakes are.Â
‘She’s a smart woman, a former prosecutor, so preparation is everything for her.’
Kamala Harris (pictured in March) goes head to head with Trump on Tuesday 10 September
Massachusetts delegate Jimmy Davidson wears a Donald Trump style wig at the 2016 RNC
President Biden was forced to drop out of the presidential race after a disastrous appearance against Mr Trump in a debate in June that exposed him as old and doddery and led supporters such as George Clooney to demand he step aside in favour of Ms Harris.
Trump stand-in Mr Reines is a former senior adviser to Hillary Clinton and considered ‘one of the smartest Democrats out there’.
The source said: ‘The Dems used to follow Michelle Obama’s mantra of ‘When they go low, we go high’, but now the gloves are off. Kamala’s being prepped to poke the bear.
‘The focus has been on how to goad Trump into losing his temper on live TV in front of millions.
‘Philippe’s a brilliant strategist. It might sound funny to say he’s wearing a wig and lifts in his shoes, but it’s all about getting Kamala 100 per cent ready.
‘The candidates will be standing at podiums. Philippe wants her to know exactly how big Trump will appear.
‘Trump is obsessed with people teasing him about his small hands, so be ready for a joke about that.
‘Kamala will attack him for all the crazy stuff he’s said, like talking about the ‘late, great, Hannibal Lecter’.
‘She’s unlikely to call him President Trump, even though that is a courtesy given to all ex-presidents. The team is working on zingers about Trump being a convicted felon and how she, as a lawyer, locked up men like him.’
Incredibly, Ms Harris and Mr Trump – who are neck and neck in the polls – have never met or spoken and have been in the same room only once before, for his State of the Union address in 2018.
‘We are heading into the unknown,’ the source said. ‘They are both fighting for the soundbite that will go around the world.’
Ms Harris is likely to bring up last year’s civil trial, when Mr Trump was found liable for sexual battery against writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of raping her in a department store changing room.Â
The former President’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed he has not undergone any debate training.
‘Trump is obsessed with people teasing him about his small hands, so be ready for a joke about that,’ a source told the Mail on Sunday (Trump pictured on September 6 in New York City)Â
Trump, pictured debating Joe Biden earlier this year, is said to be brushing up on his past record during ‘policy sessions’
‘President Trump has proven to be one of the best debaters in political history, as evidenced by his knockout blow to Joe Biden.
‘He has a command of the issues, frequently sits down for interviews and takes questions from hostile media almost every day.’
Mr Trump memorably stalked Hillary Clinton around a debate stage in 2016, hovering over her as she answered questions in a way she said ‘made my skin crawl’.
A source at TV network ABC, which is hosting Tuesday’s debate, said: ‘Most people think whoever wins will be the next president. The pressure is on Harris to over-perform.
‘This will come down to temperament. Can he keep his temper and can she appear presidential?’
