Trump to Join Fox News Town Hall Following Debate Cancellation

Former President Donald Trump announced late Monday that he will participate in a tele-town hall hosted by Fox News next month, opting for this format over a debate on the same network. This decision comes after the campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris made it clear that she would not be participating in the debate.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump commented, “Rather than the debate on September 4th, I have agreed to do a Tele-Town Hall, anchored by Sean Hannity, for Fox. It will take place in the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Details to follow!”

Trump expressed that he was “not surprised” by Harris’s decision to avoid the debate, suggesting that it would be “very difficult, at best, for her to defend her record setting Flip-Flopping on absolutely everything she once believed in.”

Last week, the Harris campaign confirmed its intention to participate in three debates this election season: two presidential debates and one vice presidential debate. They have agreed to a debate scheduled for September 10, which will be hosted by ABC News.

Moreover, the Harris campaign has indicated that it is open to discussing a second presidential debate in October, contingent upon the outcomes of the September match-up. Additionally, a vice presidential debate is on the agenda, featuring Senator JD Vance of Ohio and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, slated for October 1.

Trump had previously accepted invitations for two other proposed debates: one set for September 4 on Fox News and another on September 25 to be aired on NBC News.

Initially, Trump had also committed to two debates with current President Joe Biden: one on June 27 and another on September 10. However, Biden’s lackluster performance during the June debate led to significant pressure for him to withdraw from the race as the Democratic nominee, a step he ultimately took at the end of July.

This shift in the debate lineup has sparked much discussion about the dynamics of the upcoming election campaign. Many analysts are observing how these events may shape voter perceptions and party strategies leading up to the elections.

While both campaigns continue to navigate the complexities of their debate schedules, Trump’s decision to partake in a tele-town hall indicates a strategy aimed at reaching broader audiences through direct engagement, bypassing traditional debate formats that have proved contentious in past elections. As the election season intensifies, all eyes will be on how these events unfold and what impact they may have on the electoral landscape.

This upcoming tele-town hall and the various debates provide a platform for both candidates to present their agendas and engage with voters, further heightening the stakes of the upcoming election.

As the date approaches, both the Trump and Harris campaigns are likely to ramp up their outreach strategies, ensuring their messages resonate with their respective bases and undecided voters alike.

Source: Nexstar Media, Inc.