In a move that has further intensified the political drama leading up to the U.S. presidential election, former President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will not participate in another debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. This decision comes after their recent contentious face-off, which has sparked a wave of debate over who emerged victorious.
Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump emphatically declared, "THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!" This announcement seemingly puts an end to speculation about another face-off between the two candidates, despite Harris' calls for an additional debate. Trump's declaration referred to his earlier debate with President Joe Biden in June and the more recent encounter with Harris on Tuesday.
Vice President Harris, however, is not backing down. At a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, shortly after Trump's post, she reiterated her belief that the American voters deserve another opportunity to compare the candidates directly. "I believe we owe it to the voters to have another debate because this election and what is at stake could not be more important," Harris stated, emphasizing the critical nature of the upcoming election.
Trump's decision to forgo another debate has been met with skepticism from Harris' camp. A senior advisor to the vice president dismissed Trump's announcement, stating, "He changes his position every day. I predict there will be another." This comment reflects a broader uncertainty about whether Trump's declaration will hold, given his history of unpredictable decisions.
In the aftermath of their Philadelphia debate, Trump claimed victory in his performance, though he criticized the event's moderators, calling them "very unfair" and suggesting it was "three-on-one." Despite his assertions of triumph, Trump expressed hesitation about participating in another debate, citing his belief that he had already "won."
The reaction from the public and political analysts has been mixed. While Trump's supporters rallied behind his claim of victory, several polls indicate a different outcome. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted after the debate showed that 53% of voters believed Harris had outperformed Trump, compared to just 24% who thought Trump had the upper hand. Similarly, a CNN flash poll revealed that a majority of viewers felt Harris had delivered a stronger performance.
Even former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has since endorsed Trump, offered a nuanced view. Speaking on Fox News, Kennedy acknowledged that while Trump may have won "on substance," Harris "clearly won the debate in terms of her delivery, her polish, her organization, and her preparation." This assessment highlights the complex dynamics at play in the public's perception of the debate.
Adding to the growing tension, the debate drew significant attention, with Nielsen data reporting an audience of 67.1 million viewers. The large viewership underscores the high stakes of the election and the intense interest in the candidates' performances.
For now, the debate saga seems to be on hold, with the next scheduled political showdown set for October 1, when Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the respective running mates of Trump and Harris, are slated to face off.
