Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris are slated to face off in a series of debates this September, with the first confirmed debate to take place on September 10, hosted by ABC News. This marks a significant development in the 2024 presidential race, especially after President Joe Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the race, leading to Harris's elevation as the Democratic contender.
During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Thursday, Trump announced that his campaign had agreed to three debates, set to be hosted by Fox News, ABC News, and NBC News. The ABC News debate on September 10 is currently the only one confirmed by both the Trump and Harris campaigns. Trump had previously suggested that the ABC debate was "terminated" and proposed an alternative date of September 4 for a debate on Fox News, which Harris has not agreed to. Additionally, Trump mentioned a potential NBC News debate on September 25, although this date is still under discussion between NBC and both campaigns.
"We have those three dates and those networks, they're very anxiously awaiting that date and those dates," Trump stated at Mar-a-Lago. "So we have September 4, September 10, and September 25. We have spoken to the heads of the network, and it's all been confirmed, other than some fairly minor details."
Despite Trump's firm stance, the Harris campaign has yet to confirm participation in the Fox News debate on September 4 or the NBC News debate on September 25. The composition of the audience and the locations for these debates remain undecided, with Trump emphasizing that the "other side" must agree to the terms.
"We think we should do three debates," Trump reiterated, underscoring the importance of multiple encounters to address various issues.
Adding another layer to the debate dynamics, CBS News is expected to host a vice-presidential debate next month. Trump praised his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, highlighting his readiness and performance. The Harris campaign has already agreed to this vice-presidential debate, which adds to the series of engagements planned for the coming weeks.
The first Trump-Biden debate in June set the stage for the current electoral scenario, culminating in Biden's departure from the race and Harris stepping up as the Democratic nominee. This dramatic shift has fueled speculation and strategic maneuvering from both campaigns, each aiming to solidify their positions.
Trump's announcement at Mar-a-Lago followed a series of statements and counter-statements regarding his willingness to debate Harris. Initially, Trump had agreed to an ABC News debate with Biden, but following Biden's withdrawal and Harris's nomination, he expressed reluctance. "I can also make a case for not doing it," Trump mentioned in a July 29 interview with Fox News.
On social media, Trump declared his agreement to the ABC debate "terminated" since he would no longer be debating Biden. Instead, he suggested a debate on Fox News on September 4, stating, "I'll see her on September 4th, or I won't see her at all."
In response, Harris accused Trump of "running scared" and attempting to avoid a direct confrontation. She confirmed her participation in the ABC News debate, asserting, "I'll be there on September 10th, like he agreed to. I hope to see him there."
