In a lengthy post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump confirmed there will not be a debate rematch with Vice President Kamala Harris in the lead-up to the 2024 election. This comes after two days of speculation surrounding the possibility of another debate between the two political rivals. Trump’s post was a definitive response to Harris’s call for a second face-off, following their first debate, which left many voters and political analysts talking.
Donald Trump compared Harris to a “defeated prizefighter begging for a rematch,” emphasizing that he would not entertain the idea of a second debate. Despite his refusal, a snap poll by DailyMail showed some support for Harris’s performance, contrasting with Trump’s claim that he decisively won the debate. Trump also credited himself for pushing President Joe Biden out of the race due to Biden’s perceived poor debate performance earlier in the election cycle.
Donald Trump Criticizes Harris and the Biden Administration
In his post, Donald Trump directed a sharp critique at both Harris and President Biden, accusing them of failing the American public during their time in office. He blamed the administration for issues ranging from inflation to immigration, stating, “She and Crooked Joe have destroyed our country, with millions of criminals and mentally deranged people pouring into the USA, totally unchecked and unvetted.” According to Trump, these pressing issues were discussed thoroughly during the debates, and he sees no need for further discussion.
Trump’s decision to avoid a third debate is in line with his recent criticism of debate moderators and networks. He has consistently expressed dissatisfaction with how the first debate was handled, citing what he called biased fact-checking and poor moderation. He reiterated his position, stating there “will be no third debate” with Harris, a decision that may reshape how both campaigns proceed in the coming months.
Kamala Harris Pushes for a Second Debate
Vice President Kamala Harris wasted no time responding to Donald Trump’s announcement, calling for another debate at her first campaign rally following their recent exchange. Speaking in Charlotte, North Carolina, Harris argued that voters deserve another debate to clarify key issues and further contrast her vision with Trump’s policies. “Two nights ago, Donald Trump and I had our first debate, and I believe we owe it to the voters to have another debate,” Harris told a cheering crowd.
Harris also took the opportunity to attack Donald Trump on health care, highlighting his long-standing promises to replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. She ridiculed Trump’s lack of a concrete plan, stating that he has merely floated “concepts” for years. The vice president used this rally as a platform to showcase her readiness to tackle Trump head-on, particularly on health care and economic policies, which are pivotal issues in battleground states.
The Stakes of a Potential Second Debate
The possibility of an October rematch between Donald Trump and Harris would have set the stage for a high-stakes showdown in a race that remains tight in several key swing states. Without a second debate, both candidates will have to rely heavily on campaign events and visits to battleground regions to sway undecided voters. Trump, 79, is currently campaigning in Arizona and Nevada, while Harris is focusing on North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
The refusal to engage in another debate leaves voters to digest the candidates’ messaging through speeches and media appearances rather than direct exchanges on a national stage. With polls showing the race tightening, particularly in battleground states, both Trump and Harris will need to make every campaign event count in the weeks leading up to the election.
Trump’s Complaints About Debate Moderation and Fact-Checking
One of the main reasons Donald Trump ruled out another debate with Harris was his dissatisfaction with how the first debate was moderated. He took issue with real-time fact-checking by ABC News, particularly during moments when moderators interjected on topics like the January 6 insurrection, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and abortion. Trump suggested that the fact-checking was biased and that Harris had been given an unfair advantage.
In a call-in interview with Fox & Friends, Donald Trump accused the network of running a “rigged” debate and hinted that Harris may have even had access to the questions beforehand. These claims, reminiscent of his criticism of the 2016 debates against Hillary Clinton, led Trump to call for the network’s broadcast license to be revoked. He also lashed out at Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, who criticized his performance, calling Harris “clearly well-prepared” and “on the offensive.”
Ultimately, Trump’s rejection of a second debate reflects his broader strategy of controlling the narrative on his terms. With the campaign intensifying, both sides are doubling down on their efforts to win over undecided voters in the critical final months of the race.
