New York City: Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has proposed a debate against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris on Fox News on September 4. However, the Harris campaign has rejected this proposal, stating that Trump is trying to back out of a previously agreed debate set to air on American television network (ABC) on September 10.
Trump announced on Truth Social that he wants the debate to take place in Pennsylvania with a full arena audience, following rules similar to his first debate with President Joe Biden, who has since withdrawn from the re-election race.
Harris, having secured the delegate votes to clinch the Democratic nomination for the November 5 election, responded on social media, saying, “I’ll be there on September 10, like he agreed to. I hope to see him there.” Her spokesperson, Michael Tyler, accused Trump of “running scared” and said her campaign is open to discussing further debates after the one on September 10.
In his response on Truth Social, Trump claimed Harris is “afraid” to debate him and insisted he would see her on September 4, or not at all.
Both candidates have been actively campaigning across the country. Trump has intensified his attacks on Harris, including her character and policies as vice president. He has also raised questions about her racial identity, falsely suggesting she downplayed her Black heritage. Harris, of Indian and Jamaican descent, identifies as both Black and Asian.
During a rally in Atlanta, Trump mocked the pronunciation of Harris’ first name and called her a “lunatic” with a “low IQ.” He also targeted Georgia’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp, and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, criticizing them for not overturning his 2020 election loss in Georgia.
Following Trump’s speech, the Harris campaign released a statement from Geoff Duncan, the former Republican lieutenant governor of Georgia, criticizing Trump’s divisive rhetoric.
In his Friday post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the ABC debate had been “terminated” due to Biden’s withdrawal and his own litigation with ABC. ABC News outlined qualification requirements for the debate on July 26 but did not mention any candidates by name. Recent polls show a tight race between Harris and Trump.
ABC News declined to comment on Trump’s statement, and Fox News did not respond to a request for comment. Trump’s debate proposal came shortly after the Democratic National Committee launched an ad campaign questioning his willingness to debate.
David Plouffe, an adviser to former President Barack Obama who recently joined the Harris campaign, mocked Trump, suggesting he prefers the “safe space” of Fox News for the debate. Trump is 78, and Harris is 59.
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