Trump Commits to Future Debate with Harris

Former President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he plans to debate Vice President Kamala Harris “in the pretty near future” and did not explicitly rule out a face-off hosted by ABC News. This marks Trump’s firmest commitment to debating Harris after indicating he wouldn’t proceed with a planned debate on ABC. The former president’s remarks came during an appearance on Fox & Friends, where he asserted that the debate date would “be announced fairly soon,” and expressed his preference for Fox News to host the event. However, it remains unclear if Trump and Harris’ campaigns have reached an agreement regarding the debate’s details.

Over the weekend, Trump announced that his agreement to participate in the ABC debate, initially scheduled for September 10 between himself and President Joe Biden, had been “terminated.” He cited his defamation lawsuit against the network and anchor George Stephanopoulos, as well as Biden’s withdrawal from the race, as reasons for his decision to back out. Trump’s withdrawal from the ABC debate has generated significant attention, and his subsequent comments about debating Harris have added to the speculation about the potential match-up.

During his Wednesday interview, Trump criticized Harris, telling Fox & Friends that he had “heard” she is “sort of a nasty person, but not a good… debater.” He suggested that Harris would “be exposed, just like Biden was exposed” during the debate. Trump’s comments reflect his ongoing strategy of attacking his political opponents’ character and capabilities. Despite his criticism of Harris, Trump emphasized the importance of having the debate, stating, “The most important thing is we get to debate,” and expressing a preference for it to be hosted by Fox News. Nevertheless, he stopped short of categorically refusing to debate on another network.

Fox News has offered to host a debate between Harris and Trump on September 17, a week after the scheduled ABC News debate. Harris has affirmed her commitment to the ABC News debate, stating that she will participate regardless of Trump’s presence. This stance underscores Harris’ readiness to engage in the debate and her confidence in her ability to confront Trump on the issues.

Meanwhile, there is uncertainty regarding the vice presidential debates between Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, and Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Walz expressed his eagerness to debate Vance during his first rally since joining Harris’ ticket, where he described Vance as “creepy” and “weird.” Walz’s remarks highlight the aggressive tone that may characterize the vice presidential debates, as both campaigns prepare to present their contrasting visions for the country.

Trump’s statements about Harris came after his announcement over the weekend that he had agreed to participate in a September 4 debate on Fox News in Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, the former president claimed “afraid” to debate him on Fox News, using a deliberate misspelling of her first name, “Kamabla,” to mock her. Trump also took the opportunity to criticize ABC News, calling the network “fake” and accusing Stephanopoulos of favoring Biden during an interview following Biden’s June 27 debate on Fox News. These comments are part of Trump’s broader strategy to discredit media outlets he perceives as hostile to his campaign.

In response to Trump’s Wednesday interview, Harris campaign spokesperson James Singer issued a strong condemnation. Singer’s statement read, “On Fox News this morning, criminal Donald Trump rambled, lied, and offered America nothing but chaos, hate, and anger – the polar opposite of what we saw in Philadelphia last night. We aren’t surprised Trump wouldn’t show his face, he’s ashamed of his dangerous Project 2025 agenda, is afraid to debate, and has no positive vision to present to the American people.” This response underscores the deep divisions between the two campaigns and sets the stage for a contentious debate season.

Trump’s announcement comes amid heightened political tension and anticipation surrounding the upcoming debates. His decision to engage in a debate with Harris, despite earlier reluctance, signals a strategic move as he continues to navigate his re-election campaign. The debates are expected to be pivotal moments in the lead-up to the 2024 election, offering voters critical insights into the candidates’ policies and personalities.

As the debate dates approach, the public will be closely watching how these interactions unfold and their impact on the election. The debates are expected to draw significant viewership and play a crucial role in shaping the narrative of the 2024 presidential race. Both campaigns are now finalizing details for the debates, with networks competing to host these high-stakes events. The political landscape remains dynamic, with each side preparing to leverage the debates.