Trump Rejects Debate With Harris Again

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump has declined an invitation to participate in a debate against Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, later this month. Trump cited scheduling conflicts and strategic campaign decisions as reasons for turning down the debate. He emphasized his focus on rallying support in key battleground states rather than engaging in debates.

Vice President Harris expressed disappointment in Trump’s decision. She stated that debates are crucial for informing the American public about the candidates’ policies and visions for the country. The debate was anticipated as a defining moment in the presidential race.

It would have provided the candidates an opportunity to directly address the voters and clarify their stances on major issues facing the nation. A debate has been proposed in Atlanta on October 23, but while Harris has accepted the invitation, Trump has rejected it. On Tuesday, the situation escalated with a letter to both campaigns imposing a Thursday deadline for a formal response.

“Debates, after all, can’t be produced overnight; the events take time to organize,” the correspondence stated. Typically, U.S. presidential candidates meet for multiple televised debates, but this election year has been unique since President Joe Biden withdrew from the race weeks after the first debate in June.

Trump declines October debate proposal

Harris attempted to capitalize on her performance by immediately challenging Trump to another debate. The debate proposal for October 23 was set for Atlanta, where Trump and Biden previously debated. The Harris campaign accepted the second debate invitation, expressing that “Trump should have no problem agreeing” since “it is the same format and setup as the debate he attended and claimed he won in June.”

Trump declined the offer, stating it was “too late” for a second debate.

Last week, the Harris campaign reiterated, “she will be in Atlanta on October 23,” challenging Trump to face the voters. Trump responded on Truth Social, “I beat Biden, I beat her, and I’m not looking to do it again, too far down the line.”

Shortly after the Harris campaign received the deadline letter on Tuesday, Harris spokesman Brian Fallon said she “remains ready to appear at the debate on October 23 if Trump will agree.”

“Trump has ducked 60 Minutes and debates, and refused to release medical records in the campaign’s closing weeks,” Fallon added, “as his speeches show him to be less and less stable.”

In a characteristic all-caps Truth Social post, Trump reiterated that a debate with Harris—or any other debate—is simply not going to happen. “I WON THE LAST TWO DEBATES, ONE WITH CROOKED JOE, THE OTHER WITH LYIN’ KAMALA,” Trump wrote.

“I ACCEPTED THE INVITATION TO DEBATE KAMALA ON SEPTEMBER 4TH, BUT SHE TURNED IT DOWN.”

“I AM ALSO LEADING IN THE POLLS, WITH THE LEAD GETTING BIGGER BY THE DAY – AND LEADING IN ALL SWING STATES.”

Trump cited multiple reasons for refusing another debate, including the ongoing voting process. “IT IS VERY LATE IN THE PROCESS, VOTING HAS ALREADY BEGUN – THERE WILL BE NO REMATCH!” he wrote. He further referenced a statement Harris made during an appearance on Tuesday.

When asked what she would have done differently than Biden over the last four years, Harris answered: “There is not a thing that comes to mind… I’ve been a part of most of the decisions that have had impact.”

Later, she added that her Cabinet would include a Republican, marking a subtle point of differentiation from President Biden. Despite Trump’s refusal, the Harris campaign has agreed to another debate on CNN, scheduled for October 23. Trump has until noon Thursday to accept the offer, but according to Chris LaCivita, one of Trump’s campaign managers, they haven’t and won’t change their stance on refusing another debate.


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  • Reuters.”Trump rejects Fox News invite to debate Harris in late October”.
  • CNN.”CNN issues deadline for Trump and Harris to agree to final 2024 debate”.
  • TheDailyBeast.”Even Fox News Can’t Get Trump to Debate Harris Again”.

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