The Trump campaign issued a statement on scheduling general election debates with Kamala Harris.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said “general election debate details cannot be finalized until Democrats formally decide on their nominee.”
“It would be inappropriate to schedule things with Harris because Democrats very well could still change their minds,” he added.
Read the full statement:
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) July 26, 2024
From the Associated Press:
Alex Conant, a Republican consultant, said the debate could be “decisive.” “It’s the only time voters really tune in,” he said.
This year’s campaign has already shown the potential power of a debate. Biden’s disastrous performance on June 27 revived concerns that he was too old for a second term. His support within the Democratic Party crumbled, and he ended his reelection bid on Sunday.
Trump announces he won’t schedule debates with Kamala (yet) because Democrats might get sick of her bring a “Marxist fraud” and switch her out at the convention pic.twitter.com/ShuH3GDuxM
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) July 26, 2024
Harris said Thursday “I’m ready to debate Donald Trump.”
“I have agreed to the previously agreed upon September 10th debate,” she commented.
“He agreed to that previously. Now it appears he’s backpedaling,” she added.
WATCH:
Kamala wants to debate pic.twitter.com/bXl6cWLxYM
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) July 25, 2024
“Trump agreed on a September 10th debate. It now appears he’s backpedaling. Voters deserve to see the split screen that exists on a debate stage. I’m ready. So let’s go,” Harris wrote.
Trump agreed on a September 10th debate.
It now appears he's backpedaling.
Voters deserve to see the split screen that exists on a debate stage.
I'm ready. So let's go.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) July 25, 2024
Fox News invited Trump and Harris to participate in a debate on September 17th.
Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier were recommended to moderate the debate.
🚨New: Fox News has invited President Trump and VP Harris to debate on September 17th, moderated by Martha MacCallum, and Bret Baier pic.twitter.com/fEkZmpF7Nt
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) July 24, 2024
Earlier this week, Trump told reporters he wanted multiple debates against Harris.
WATCH:
Trump commits to debating Kamala Harris.
Wants multiple debates. 🚨#donaldtrump #kamalaharris pic.twitter.com/sCayerR7h1— George Balfour-Kinnear (@balfourUK) July 23, 2024
The Hill reports:
Trump and President Biden agreed to two debates, one on June 27 and the other on Sept. 10. Biden’s disastrous performance in the June debate sparked calls from Democrats for him to step aside as the nominee, which he did on Sunday in the face of mounting pressure.
Harris has secured the support of enough delegates to be the likely nominee for Democrats. The Democratic convention will take place Aug. 19-22 in Chicago.
Harris said earlier Thursday she’s “ready to go” for a debate with former President Trump and needled her likely GOP rival after he has suggested he may not want to participate in an event hosted by ABC News, as previously planned.
