On Thursday, former President Donald Trump announced he would not take part in another debate with Vice President Kamala Harris as the two candidates campaign in key battleground states before the upcoming U.S. presidential election. Trump’s declaration followed a heated debate earlier in the week, where both sides claimed to have emerged victorious.
Taking to social media, Trump declared, “THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!”—a firm response to Harris' call for another debate. The former president likened the situation to a defeated boxer seeking a rematch, stating, “When a prize fighter loses a fight, the first words out of his mouth are, ‘I want a rematch.’” This rejection is notable given the high stakes of the election, as the two rivals clash over policies and approaches to leadership.
The debate, held earlier this week in Philadelphia and hosted by ABC News, attracted significant attention, with over 67 million viewers tuning in. Trump repeatedly asserted that his performance was superior, dismissing Harris’ call for transparency and another opportunity for voters to compare their respective visions.
During her speech, Harris emphasized the importance of transparency in the electoral process, stating, "Two nights ago, Donald Trump and I had our first debate, and I believe we owe it to the voters to have another." Harris’ campaign has continuously pressed for a second debate, underscoring the need for clear communication with the American public as the election draws closer.
Harris' growing momentum was also evident in national polling. A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that Harris now leads Trump by 47% to 42% among registered voters, a slight increase from her four-point lead in August. This bump in support is reflective of voter sentiment following the debate, with many believing Trump struggled to defend his policies in front of a large audience.
In addition, a CNN poll reported that 52% of voters felt Trump had faltered during the debate, allowing Harris to gain a stronger position as the campaign progresses. These polling figures demonstrate the ongoing competition between the two candidates as they battle for voter support.
Initially, Trump had expressed interest in debating Harris on multiple networks. Proposals were made by Fox, NBC, and CBS for additional debates. However, Harris' campaign only agreed to the September 10 debate on ABC News. Following the debate, Trump expressed uncertainty, stating, “If you won the debate, I sort of think maybe I shouldn’t do it. Why should I do another debate?”
While the Harris-Trump debates are on hold, the vice presidential debate between GOP Senator JD Vance and Democratic Governor Tim Walz is still scheduled to take place on October 1. Whether Trump and Harris will meet again on the debate stage remains an open question, as both campaigns continue their focus on key battleground states leading up to the election.
The current debate saga follows a series of high-profile confrontations between Trump and other political figures. Earlier this year, Trump debated President Joe Biden in June, in what many saw as a critical turning point for the Biden campaign. After a less-than-stellar performance, Biden eventually decided to end his presidential bid, clearing the way for Harris to take the spotlight.
As the election nears, the debates between Trump and Harris have taken center stage. The two candidates represent starkly different political platforms, with Trump advocating for a return to his previous policies, while Harris emphasizes progressive change and a future-focused vision for America.