Trump Declares ‘Too Late’ as Harris Consents to Oct. 23 Debate on CNN
The previous president’s remarks follow Harris challenging her opponent to agree to another debate.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump dismissed the idea of participating in another presidential debate, stating that it is "too late" to face Vice President Kamala Harris in a proposed rematch. Trump made his feelings known during a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, where he emphasized that early voting had already commenced in some states.
"It’s just too late," Trump told the audience. He mentioned that early voting processes were underway in states like Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia, adding, "She's done one debate, I've done two, it's too late to do another. I'd love to, in many ways, but it's too late, the voting is cast, the voters are out there."
Conversely, while Trump was speaking in North Carolina, his vice-presidential running mate, JD Vance, expressed a different sentiment in Pennsylvania. Vance mentioned his openness to another debate with his Democratic counterpart, Tim Walz, shortly after Trump articulated that it was too late for more debates. Vance and Walz are set to have their first debate on October 1.
Trump's refusal came in response to Harris' prompt on the social media platform X, where she had previously challenged him, saying, "I will gladly accept a second presidential debate on October 23. I hope @realDonaldTrump will join me." The proposed debate, planned to be hosted by CNN in Atlanta, would replicate the format of their prior June debate, which had significant consequences for Trump's campaign.
Earlier that day, Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, had already hinted that Trump would decline the debate offer, pointing to a statement Trump made on September 12 on Truth Social, where he firmly stated, "THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!"
Additionally, Trump used a rally to showcase an edited clip of Harris from a 2010 speech, which had been circulated among his supporters. Since their debate on September 10, which many viewed as favorable for Harris, Trump's campaign has given conflicting responses about his willingness to engage in another debate.
Despite these developments, the Harris campaign has been actively advocating for a second debate. Following the first debate, Harris herself advocated for another, asserting at a rally that the candidates "owe it to voters to have another debate." Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris' campaign chair, reinforced this stance, stating, "The American people deserve another opportunity to see Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump debate before they cast their ballots," describing the situation of having only one presidential debate as "unprecedented in modern history."
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
"It’s just too late," Trump told the audience. He mentioned that early voting processes were underway in states like Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia, adding, "She's done one debate, I've done two, it's too late to do another. I'd love to, in many ways, but it's too late, the voting is cast, the voters are out there."
Conversely, while Trump was speaking in North Carolina, his vice-presidential running mate, JD Vance, expressed a different sentiment in Pennsylvania. Vance mentioned his openness to another debate with his Democratic counterpart, Tim Walz, shortly after Trump articulated that it was too late for more debates. Vance and Walz are set to have their first debate on October 1.
Trump's refusal came in response to Harris' prompt on the social media platform X, where she had previously challenged him, saying, "I will gladly accept a second presidential debate on October 23. I hope @realDonaldTrump will join me." The proposed debate, planned to be hosted by CNN in Atlanta, would replicate the format of their prior June debate, which had significant consequences for Trump's campaign.
Earlier that day, Trump's spokesperson, Steven Cheung, had already hinted that Trump would decline the debate offer, pointing to a statement Trump made on September 12 on Truth Social, where he firmly stated, "THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!"
Additionally, Trump used a rally to showcase an edited clip of Harris from a 2010 speech, which had been circulated among his supporters. Since their debate on September 10, which many viewed as favorable for Harris, Trump's campaign has given conflicting responses about his willingness to engage in another debate.
Despite these developments, the Harris campaign has been actively advocating for a second debate. Following the first debate, Harris herself advocated for another, asserting at a rally that the candidates "owe it to voters to have another debate." Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris' campaign chair, reinforced this stance, stating, "The American people deserve another opportunity to see Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump debate before they cast their ballots," describing the situation of having only one presidential debate as "unprecedented in modern history."
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
