Trump Rejects CNN’s Invitation for Second Debate with Harris, Says ‘Too Late’

WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump has declined a second debate invitation from CNN to face Vice President Kamala Harris on October 23, just weeks ahead of Election Day.

During a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, Trump informed his supporters that, “It’s just too late – voting has already started.” He expressed skepticism about the fairness of CNN, noting he had already participated in two debates.

Vice President Harris accepted the CNN invitation on Saturday and expressed her eagerness to debate Trump again through a tweet. “Vice President Harris is ready for another opportunity to share a stage with Donald Trump, and she has accepted CNN’s invitation to a debate on October 23,” stated Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris’s campaign chair, in a press release.

Dillon emphasized that Trump should have no issue agreeing to the debate format, which would resemble the CNN debate he attended in June. In that prior meeting, Trump claimed victory and praised the moderators, rules, and ratings.

Earlier this month, Trump declared on Truth Social that he wouldn’t participate in another debate with Harris, asserting he won their previous face-off. When reporters probed whether he might reconsider a second debate with Harris last week, Trump responded, “Maybe if I got in the right mood.”

CNN highlighted that the upcoming debate would follow the format of a previous encounter held in June at their studios in Atlanta between Trump and President Joe Biden. President Biden’s lackluster performance in that debate raised concerns among Democratic lawmakers, activists, and donors, leading him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race and endorse Harris.

Earlier this month, Harris and Trump faced off in a debate hosted by ABC News, where they engaged in heated discussions on pressing issues such as abortion, immigration, and the economy. As both candidates continue to fine-tune their strategies, the political landscape remains charged as Election Day approaches.

As the campaign progresses, reactions to Trump’s refusal to debate again and the dynamics between him and Harris are likely to evolve. The stakes are high, and each decision made by the candidates could significantly impact their standings as Voters prepare to head to the polls.

Source: USA TODAY