Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted CNN’s invitation to debate former President Donald Trump on October 23, seeking another public engagement with her opponent in the campaign’s final weeks.
“Vice President Harris is eager for another chance to share the stage with Donald Trump,” stated campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon. “Donald Trump should have no issue agreeing to this debate.”
On Saturday, Harris tweeted her willingness to participate in a second presidential debate, expressing hope that Trump would join her on October 23.
Trump, however, argued that it was “too late” for another debate, citing the commencement of voting in the 2024 election. “The problem with another debate is that it’s just too late, voting has already started,” he remarked at a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Traditionally, presidential nominees conclude the debate season with a nationally televised October debate after the vice presidential nominees’ debate. Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, is scheduled to debate Harris’ vice presidential pick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, on October 1 in a CBS-hosted event.
Last week, Trump hinted at the possibility of participating in a third presidential debate after his September 10 encounter with Harris, hosted by ABC in Philadelphia. “Maybe if I got in the right mood,” he mentioned to reporters in California, despite previously declaring on Truth Social, “THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!”
When asked about the debate invitation, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung directed CNN to Trump’s Truth Social post.
Harris’ campaign dismissed Trump’s claim of no further debates, with a senior adviser noting that Trump “changes his position every day.” The vice president promptly called for another debate, stating, “I believe we owe it to the voters.”
The October debate is set to resemble the first 2024 presidential debate in June between Trump and President Joe Biden, held at CNN’s Atlanta studios. Trump and Harris would answer moderators’ questions for 90 minutes without a live audience.
“CNN has invited both Vice President Harris and former President Trump to participate in a fall debate, believing the American public would benefit from a second encounter between the presidential candidates,” the network announced. “We await responses from both campaigns to provide voters with more insights as they make their final decision.”
The June 27 CNN debate between Trump and Biden was pivotal, altering the campaign’s trajectory. Following a poor performance, Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee.