Former President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will not take part in any more debates ahead of the 2024 election.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump argued that Vice President Kamala Harris could’ve accepted an offer to debate on Fox News on Sept. 4, or could’ve negotiated a second debate before the ABC News debate.
“She was a no-show at the Fox Debate, and refused to do NBC & CBS. KAMALA SHOULD FOCUS ON WHAT SHE SHOULD HAVE DONE DURING THE LAST ALMOST FOUR YEAR PERIOD. THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!” Trump posted on his social media platform. ” Trump wrote.
Later Thursday, at a rally in Tucson, Arizona, Trump announced to a cheering crowd that he would not debate Harris again.
“So, because we’ve done two debates and because they were successful, there will be no third debate,” he said. “It’s too late anyway, the voting’s already begun.”
Harris had challenged Trump to another showdown immediately after Tuesday’s matchup in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Harris took the stage at a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, just after Trump’s announcement. Although she did not cite Trump’s social media post, Harris said he and she “owe it to the voters to have another debate.”
“Two nights ago, Donald Trump and I had our first debate, and I believe we owe it to the voters to have another debate,” Harris said. “Because this election and what is at stake could not be more important. On Tuesday night, I talked about issues that I know matter to families across America, like bringing down the cost of living, investing in America’s small businesses, protecting reproductive freedom and keeping our nation safe and secure.”
“But that’s not what we heard from Donald Trump,” she continued. “Instead, it was the same old show, that same tired playbook that we have heard for years, with no plans for how he would address the needs of the American people because, you know, it’s all about him, it’s not about you. Well, folks, I said it then, I say it now, it’s time to turn the page.”
Harris repeated the line at another rally later in Greensboro, North Carolina, without mention of Trump’s decision.
But her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, did address it in a speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan, telling the crowd he thinks Harris and Trump should debate every day.
“Well, it’s not going to happen, because Donald Trump confirmed today he’s not doing another one,” Walz said. “Give him a little break. That one left a mark. He was was on full display the other night. His true colors were out there, not just his makeup.”
