Trump Declines Second Debate with Harris, Citing Ongoing Voting

Trump has announced that he will not accept CNN’s invitation to another debate, stating that it is “too late” since Americans have already begun voting in the 2024 election.

“The problem with another debate is that it’s just too late, voting has already started,” Trump said during a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina. “She’s had her chance to do it with Fox… but now she wants to do a debate right before the election because she’s losing badly.”

Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted CNN’s offer for a second debate with former President Donald Trump. Her campaign announced on Saturday that they have agreed to an October 23rd debate.

“The American people deserve another opportunity to see Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump debate before they cast their ballots,” said Harris-Walz campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon. “It would be unprecedented in modern history for there to just be one general election debate. Debates offer a unique chance for voters to see the candidates side by side and take stock of their competing visions for America.”

“Vice President Harris is ready for another opportunity to share a stage with Donald Trump, and she has accepted CNN’s invitation to a debate on October 23rd,” Dillon added.

Trump previously accused the moderators of the September 10th ABC News debate of undermining his efforts to counter Harris and has stated that he will not debate her again under similar circumstances.

“We just don’t think that there’s any need for it,” he told The New York Post. “We’ve done two. You know, one against Biden [on June 27], one against Comrade Kamala. I did well. I did really well.”

Dillon argued that Trump should have no issues agreeing to the debate.

“Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate. It is the same format and setup as the CNN debate he attended and said he won in June, when he praised CNN’s moderators, rules, and ratings,” she said, referencing the June debate between Trump and Joe Biden, which led to Biden’s eventual withdrawal from the 2024 race.

“We look forward to Vice President Harris once again having the opportunity in the CNN debate to demonstrate her command of the issues and why it’s time to turn the page on Donald Trump and chart a new way forward for America.”