Trump rules out another presidential debate against Harris
3 Min Read
Republican nominee Donald Trump says he would not participate in another presidential debate against Kamala Harris ahead of the November 5 election.
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Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump gestures as he departs after speaks at a campaign event at the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, on September 12, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP)
Former President Donald Trump has dismissed the idea of participating in a second presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris before the upcoming election in November.
Trump's rejection of a rematch came two days after their initial debate in Philadelphia, where he claimed Harris was seeking another round because he had "clearly won" the first one. Despite Trump’s assertion, various immediate polls from after the debate suggested that Harris had outperformed him.
Trump has suggested that Harris should instead concentrate on her current duties as vice president. In response, during a campaign event in North Carolina, Harris argued that a second debate is essential, citing the critical nature of the upcoming election and the need for voters to fully understand their choices.
With just two months left before the election, polls indicate a highly competitive race between the candidates. Following the 90-minute debate on ABC News, both Trump and Harris declared victory. Harris's aggressive debating style, including personal attacks on Trump and references to his rally sizes and actions during the January 6 Capitol riot, seemed to put Trump on the defensive.
Trump and his supporters have since criticized the debate moderators from ABC, accusing them of bias in favor of Harris. Trump reiterated on Thursday that he sees no need for another debate. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump likened Harris's request for a rematch to a fighter’s desire for a second chance after a loss, claiming the polls indicate his victory.
Read next: Fact Check: Key statements from the Trump-Harris debate
During a rally in Arizona and an interview with Telemundo Arizona, Trump maintained that a second debate was unnecessary. He argued that the issues had already been thoroughly covered and suggested that Harris may not be keen on another debate either.
Despite Trump’s stance, Harris’s campaign has continued to push for a second debate, asserting that voters must understand the stark differences between the candidates. The Harris campaign has challenged Trump to prove his readiness for another debate.
Additionally, some Trump campaign surrogates, including Representative Matt Gaetz, had previously suggested that Trump might be open to another debate. However, Trump expressed on Fox News that the debate was "rigged" and he felt less inclined to participate in another, despite his self-assessed strong performance.
This decision appears to contrast with earlier statements from Trump's campaign. On Wednesday, senior advisor Jason Miller told CNN that Trump was committed to participating in three debates. Discussions were reportedly ongoing about a potential debate on NBC News scheduled for September 25.
