Shake or Snub: Psaki Weighs In on Pre-Debate Handshake Between Harris and Trump

Former Biden White House press secretary Jen Psaki believes Vice President Kamala Harris should initiate a handshake with former President Donald Trump during Tuesday's ABC Presidential Debate, despite the potential for hostility. Psaki emphasizes the importance of maintaining decorum and appealing to a broad audience of potential voters.

At the Texas Tribune Festival, former White House press secretary Jen Psaki shared her thoughts on the anticipated pre-debate handshake between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, scheduled for Tuesday's ABC Presidential Debate. Psaki believes Harris should extend a hand, stating, "Or, if you're her, you make an effort."

According to Psaki, viewers prefer a civil debate rather than hostility, suggesting that Harris take the high road and focus on winning the debate. She emphasizes the need to appeal to a wide range of voters, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Shake or Snub: Psaki Weighs In on Pre-Debate Handshake Between Harris and Trump

"The balance for her is how do you push back when he is spewing lie-filled rants, which will happen?" Psaki questioned, acknowledging the likelihood of Trump's contentious demeanor. "If he attacks you in a racist or sexist or creepy way? Which certainly can happen."

Psaki acknowledges that the Harris-Walz campaign has effectively countered Trump's attacks from a distance, but she emphasizes the distinct nature of a face-to-face encounter. "It's different than doing them in person," she said, asserting that the debate offers a significant opportunity to connect with a broader audience.

Shake or Snub: Psaki Weighs In on Pre-Debate Handshake Between Harris and Trump

In June, Biden campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond indicated that Biden would not shake Trump's hand before the CNN debate. Richmond suggested that Biden "consistently rises above pettiness," but a handshake ultimately did not occur.

The pre-debate handshake has been a tradition in recent years, particularly during significant presidential debates. However, it has become less common in modern times, with Trump and Hillary Clinton opting not to shake hands in 2016, and Biden and Trump forgoing a handshake in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Shake or Snub: Psaki Weighs In on Pre-Debate Handshake Between Harris and Trump

Harris and Trump have an opportunity to revive the tradition on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. By initiating a handshake, Harris could demonstrate her commitment to civil discourse and set a positive tone for a substantive debate.

Fox News Digital's Jeffrey Clark and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.