The dispute between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris over their upcoming presidential debate has intensified, with both candidates accusing each other of attempting to back out of their commitments. Trump proposed a new debate on Fox News on September 4 in Pennsylvania, citing a conflict of interest with ABC due to an ongoing lawsuit. He stated, ‘I will see her on September 4 or I will not see her at all,’ adding that the rules would be similar to his previous debate with Joe Biden, but with a full arena audience.Harris’s campaign, however, has firmly rejected this proposal, insisting on adhering to the originally scheduled ABC debate on September 10. Michael Tyler, Harris’s campaign communications director, accused Trump of ‘running scared’ and trying to avoid the agreed-upon debate by ‘seeking refuge in Fox’. Harris herself responded to Trump’s proposal, saying, ‘It’s interesting how ‘any time, any place’ becomes ‘one specific time, one specific safe space”.The controversy has led to personal attacks, with Trump calling Harris a ‘low-IQ individual’ who is ‘mentally incapable’ of debating him. Harris, in turn, has challenged Trump to ‘say it to my face’. The dispute has raised questions about whether a debate between the two candidates will actually take place.Both campaigns have suggested they may proceed with individual town halls if an agreement isn’t reached. ABC News has indicated they will provide airtime to whichever candidate attends the September 10 debate, even if it’s only Harris.This debate controversy comes in the wake of Harris securing the Democratic Party’s nomination after President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the race. Recent polls show a tight contest between Harris and Trump, adding to the significance of this potential debate.
Key points
- Trump proposes a new debate on Fox News on September 4, citing a conflict of interest with ABC.
- Harris’s campaign insists on the originally scheduled ABC debate on September 10.
- Both candidates accuse each other of trying to back out of the debate.
- Personal attacks have escalated, with Trump calling Harris ‘mentally incapable’ and Harris challenging Trump to ‘say it to my face’.
- ABC News may proceed with giving airtime to Harris even if Trump doesn’t show up for the September 10 debate.
Contradictions👾Trump claims he agreed to debate Harris on Fox News, while Harris’s campaign states Trump is trying to back out of the previously agreed ABC debate.
👾Trump says he won’t debate Harris because she’s not the official Democratic nominee, but other sources confirm Harris has secured enough delegate votes.
