Trump states 'I do want to debate' Harris after calling off September showdown
The former president and GOP nominee has called off a planned debate, and the candidates have yet to come to an agreement on rescheduling it.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump expressed on Wednesday the significance of a presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasizing the importance for the nation, despite his recent withdrawal from an upcoming debate.
“The most important thing is we get [to] debate,” Trump stated during an appearance on “Fox and Friends,” countering Harris' claims about his reluctance: “She wants to say I don't want to debate, but I do want to debate.”
Last Friday, Trump disclosed that he had canceled the debate planned for Sept. 10 on ABC News with Harris after learning that President Joe Biden had exited the presidential race. Furthermore, Trump has initiated a defamation lawsuit against the network and its anchor George Stephanopoulos, which he described as a “conflict of interest.”
The decision to pull out of the ABC News debate sparked criticism from Harris’ campaign and her supporters, who portrayed Trump as evading the debate. They intensified their critique following Trump's recent telephone interview.
"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," said James Singer, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, in a communication with POLITICO.
In response, Trump proposed a new debate with Harris on Sept. 4 in Pennsylvania, to be broadcast on Fox News with anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum moderating. Harris, however, declined this proposal, reaffirming her commitment to the original ABC debate date on social media platform X.
Trump indicated that the situation regarding the debate might evolve soon, though he withheld specifics about a new date or broadcaster. He mentioned that several networks are currently very favorable towards him: “Every network loves me very much right now.”
“I want to debate her,” Trump reiterated. “I think it's important for the country that we debate.”
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
“The most important thing is we get [to] debate,” Trump stated during an appearance on “Fox and Friends,” countering Harris' claims about his reluctance: “She wants to say I don't want to debate, but I do want to debate.”
Last Friday, Trump disclosed that he had canceled the debate planned for Sept. 10 on ABC News with Harris after learning that President Joe Biden had exited the presidential race. Furthermore, Trump has initiated a defamation lawsuit against the network and its anchor George Stephanopoulos, which he described as a “conflict of interest.”
The decision to pull out of the ABC News debate sparked criticism from Harris’ campaign and her supporters, who portrayed Trump as evading the debate. They intensified their critique following Trump's recent telephone interview.
"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," said James Singer, a spokesperson for the Harris campaign, in a communication with POLITICO.
In response, Trump proposed a new debate with Harris on Sept. 4 in Pennsylvania, to be broadcast on Fox News with anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum moderating. Harris, however, declined this proposal, reaffirming her commitment to the original ABC debate date on social media platform X.
Trump indicated that the situation regarding the debate might evolve soon, though he withheld specifics about a new date or broadcaster. He mentioned that several networks are currently very favorable towards him: “Every network loves me very much right now.”
“I want to debate her,” Trump reiterated. “I think it's important for the country that we debate.”
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
