Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump has agreed to debate Democratic Nominee Kamala Harris on September 10. Last week, Trump said he did not feel the need to debate Harris because he was leading in the polls at the time.
Trump Decides to Debate Publicly
Trump decided to debate Harris publicly during a news conference Thursday at Mar-a-Lago. ABC News has confirmed this with both parties’ campaigns.
Harris and Walz on Campaign Tour
While Trump was speaking publicly from Florida, Harris and her Vice Presidential pick, Governor Tim Walz from Minnesota, are on a campaign tour and spoke Thursday to United Auto Workers in Detroit, Michigan.
Potential for Additional Debates
Although only the September 10 debate is confirmed, Trump said he would like to debate Harris thrice in September. Trump said he would be open to debating in various venues and through various media outlets, including Fox, NBC, and ABC. Harris’s campaign has not commented on whether she would consider the three-debate series.
Focus on Campaign Tour
Harris and Walz are currently focused on a tour of seven states, days after Harris announced her selection as her running mate. She calls their team “joyful warriors” against Trump and Vance.
Campaigns Cross Paths
The dueling campaigns crossed paths with Republican VP Vance’s airplane on a tarmac in Wisconsin. Vance’s “Trump Force Two” taxied on the landing strip as Harris and Walz met with Girl Scouts. Vance attempted to see Harris, but Harris and Walz were already en route to a rally to meet 12,000 supporters and musical team Bon Iver.
Introducing the Team
While Harris has been introducing audiences to her team and calling Walz “Coach,” Trump and Vance have been leveling attacks at Walz since the announcement of his candidacy Tuesday.
Main Thrusts of the Attack
The main thrusts of their attack have been twofold thus far. First, that his response to the George Floyd deaths and protests was irresponsible and unacceptable and allowed the riots to grow out of hand.
As of Wednesday night, the Trump-Vance team is questioning Walz’s military and veteran bona fides. Vance suggested that Walz is guilty of “stolen valor” or claiming credit for serving in combat when he retired before being deployed to Iraq with his unit.
Potential Debate Between Vance and Walz
If and when Vance and Walz take the debate stage together, these claims will likely play out for Americans to see.
Harris Accuses Trump of “Running Scared”
Before Trump’s announcement that he would debate Harris after all, she accused him of “running scared” for backing down from his commitment to debate in September.
Trump’s Agreement with Biden
Trump claims his agreement was with President Joe Biden to debate in September and suggested that his lead in the polls at the time was the reason he did not need to debate Harris. Trump also said the American people already know what he and Harris stand for.
Importance of Debates
In Thursday’s press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said, “I think it’s essential to have debates.”
Harris’s Readiness to Debate
Even as Trump was noncommittal about the debate, Harris’s team always said she was ready and willing to debate Trump, whether he showed up or not.
Harris Spokesman’s Statement
Harris spokesman Michael Tyler said, “The Vice President will be there, one way or the other, to take the opportunity to speak to a prime-time national audience….we’re happy to discuss further debates after the one both campaigns have already agreed to.”
