Moderator Susan Page sits between Vice President Mike Pence and US Sen. Kamala Harris at the vice presidential debate on Wednesday, October 7.
In pictures: The vice presidential debate
Moderator Susan Page sits between Vice President Mike Pence and US Sen. Kamala Harris at the vice presidential debate on Wednesday, October 7.
Justin Sullivan/AP

Updated 9:12 AM EDT, Thu October 8, 2020

Vice President Mike Pence and his Democratic rival, US Sen. Kamala Harris, faced each other Wednesday in what will be the year's only vice presidential debate.

The debate came days after President Donald Trump's stunning announcement that he and the first lady had tested positive for coronavirus. Pence was in frequent close contact with Trump last week, but he has repeatedly tested negative.

Debate organizers made a number of changes to their safety protocols, including putting Pence and Harris more than 12 feet apart, using plexiglass as barriers between the candidates, and requiring that everyone in the audience wear masks. At the first presidential debate last week, Trump's entourage, including his family, did not wear masks.

Wednesday night's debate took place at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. It was moderated by Susan Page of USA Today.

The candidates are joined by their spouses at the end of the debate. At left is Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff. Second lady Karen Pence <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/vp-debate-coverage-fact-check-10-07-20/index.html" target="_blank">appeared to break the agreed-upon rules on masks,</a> though she was seen wearing one earlier in the night.
The candidates are joined by their spouses at the end of the debate. At left is Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff. Second lady Karen Pence appeared to break the agreed-upon rules on masks, though she was seen wearing one earlier in the night.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
Harris gestures at Pence while answering a question during the debate. She made history Wednesday, becoming the first Black and South Asian woman to participate in a general election debate.
Harris gestures at Pence while answering a question during the debate. She made history Wednesday, becoming the first Black and South Asian woman to participate in a general election debate.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
Pence listens to Harris during the debate.
Pence listens to Harris during the debate.
Mary Gash/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
The debate took place at Kingsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Utah.
The debate took place at Kingsbury Hall on the campus of the University of Utah.
Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
Pence answers a question from moderator Susan Page.
Pence answers a question from moderator Susan Page.
Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images
The candidates were spread out more than 12 feet from each other, and plexiglass sheets were set between them.
The candidates were spread out more than 12 feet from each other, and plexiglass sheets were set between them.
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
Harris, the junior senator from California, ran for the Democratic nomination but dropped out of the race in December. Joe Biden announced her as his running mate in August.
Harris, the junior senator from California, ran for the Democratic nomination but dropped out of the race in December. Joe Biden announced her as his running mate in August.
Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images
Harris addresses Pence during the debate.
Harris addresses Pence during the debate.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/10/08/mike-pence-fly-on-head-debate-sot-vpx.cnn" target="_blank">A fly sits on Pence's head</a> during the debate. It became <a href="https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/vp-debate-coverage-fact-check-10-07-20/h_6c072e0ba98c2c5ca7c1ae17076a5d41" target="_blank">a trending moment</a> on social media.
A fly sits on Pence's head during the debate. It became a trending moment on social media.
Patrick Semansky/AP
People watch the debate from a tavern in San Diego.
People watch the debate from a tavern in San Diego.
Mike Blake/Reuters
Page is the first print reporter that the Commission on Presidential Debates has selected be a moderator. She has interviewed six sitting presidents.
Page is the first print reporter that the Commission on Presidential Debates has selected be a moderator. She has interviewed six sitting presidents.
Justin Sullivan/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Harris looks at Pence while answering a question.
Harris looks at Pence while answering a question.
Morry Gash/AP
This was the second of four scheduled debates during the campaign season. There are supposed to be two more presidential debates before the election.
This was the second of four scheduled debates during the campaign season. There are supposed to be two more presidential debates before the election.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
Pence gestures during the debate.
Pence gestures during the debate.
Kim Raff/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The candidates wave to the audience before the start of the debate.
The candidates wave to the audience before the start of the debate.
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images
Harris walks onto the stage for the start of the debate.
Harris walks onto the stage for the start of the debate.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
Page arranges her notes before the start of the debate.
Page arranges her notes before the start of the debate.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
Emhoff, Harris' husband, is seen at left next to second lady Karen Pence.
Emhoff, Harris' husband, is seen at left next to second lady Karen Pence.
Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images
Workers clean the plexiglass dividers installed on stage.
Workers clean the plexiglass dividers installed on stage.
Kim Raff/Bloomberg/Getty Images