Chris Christie: Trump Will Relent and Face Harris in Another Debate

Chris Christie, who served as Donald Trump’s debate coach during the 2020 election, made predictions on Sunday regarding Trump’s response to CNN’s recent debate invitation. Appearing on ABC’s This Week, Christie emphasized that Trump would be inclined to participate in a debate against Kamala Harris, given her impressive performance during their previous encounter.

Kamala Harris has already accepted the invitation for a debate scheduled on October 23, while Trump’s response has been more dismissive, indicating that it may be “too late” in the election cycle for another matchup.

Christie, who previously helped prepare Trump for his debates, highlighted the importance of polling trends in Trump’s decision-making process. With numbers showing a downward trend for the former president, Christie suggested that participating in a debate could be crucial in reversing his current standing.

“These debate decisions, George, are tactical, they’re not philosophical. They’re tactical,” Christie told host George Stephanopoulos. He underscored the significance of public opinion, noting that Trump’s focus on polling data might push him to agree to the debate. “He’s going to need something to change it, and in today’s media landscape, absent a big mistake by one or the other, this is the only way,” he continued.

Christie also indicated that Trump would likely convince himself of his ability to perform well against Harris in a potential debate, despite having already missed that opportunity. “He will convince himself that if she gets in the ring with him again, that he’ll knock her out. That will be his mindset,” Christie remarked. However, he raised concerns about Trump’s preparation, suggesting that whether he would put in the necessary work remains uncertain. “But I’ll say this, he needs it,” Christie added.

Furthermore, Christie expressed his belief that Trump would ultimately come around to the idea of debating. “I think he’ll eventually capitulate,” he stated.

Although Trump has not directly addressed the CNN debate invitation, he dismissed the idea at a recent rally in North Carolina, suggesting it was too late in the election season for such a confrontation. As the race evolves, recent polling has illustrated a noticeable shift in favor of Harris, particularly following her performance during their September 10 debate in Philadelphia.

Harris’s campaign has consistently pointed to strong fundraising numbers, outpacing Trump for the second consecutive month. A recent NBC News national poll further demonstrates a significant shift in the race since President Joe Biden stepped aside as the Democratic nominee, with Harris leading Trump by five percentage points. This change has been bolstered by her rising favorability ratings.

While Harris claims that the race remains very close, her campaign chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, criticized Trump’s reluctance to engage in the CNN debate. “It would be unprecedented in modern history for there to just be one general election debate,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of these discussions for voters. She pointed out that debates provide a unique opportunity for candidates to present their visions side by side.

Dillon reiterated Harris’s readiness for another debate against Trump, emphasizing that she has accepted CNN’s invitation. “Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate. It is the same format and setup as the CNN debate he attended and said he won in June,” she noted. As the election approaches, both candidates are preparing for a contentious campaign season, with the debate potentially becoming a key moment in defining their respective strategies.