Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, July 31, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz 

Trump Proposes Debate with Harris on Fox News

Trump Proposes Debate Shift to Fox News

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has proposed a debate with Democratic U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Fox News, scheduled for September 4. This proposal follows a previous arrangement for a debate to be hosted by ABC. The Harris campaign has accused Trump of attempting to withdraw from the initially planned ABC debate.

Debate Arrangements and Venue

Trump, in a post on Truth Social late Friday, suggested that the rules for the debate would mirror those of the first debate he had with President Joe Biden, who has since exited the reelection race. Trump emphasized that this debate would include a “full arena audience” and take place in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state. Initially, Trump and Biden had agreed to a second debate on September 10, to be hosted by ABC News, which Trump later suggested should be moved to Fox News.

Harris’s Commitment to Original Debate Date

Vice President Harris, having secured the necessary delegate votes to clinch the Democratic nomination for the November 5 election, reaffirmed her commitment to the originally scheduled debate on September 10. She remarked on social media platform X, critiquing Trump’s change in stance from “any time, any place” to “one specific time, one specific safe space.” Harris expressed her intention to participate on September 10 as initially agreed upon and expressed hope that Trump would honor this commitment.

Campaign Reactions and Further Debate Discussions

Harris’s spokesperson, Michael Tyler, accused Trump of “running scared” and indicated the Harris campaign’s willingness to discuss additional debates following the September 10 event, which both campaigns had previously agreed to. In response, Trump claimed on Truth Social that Harris was “afraid” to debate and reiterated his preference for the September 4 date on Fox News, threatening not to participate at all if this date is not accepted.

Network Responses and Political Commentary

ABC News has not commented on whether Trump has officially withdrawn from the debate, while Fox News did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump’s proposal to shift the debate to Fox News came shortly after the Democratic National Committee launched an advertising campaign accusing Trump of being “afraid to debate” and questioning his stance on abortion.

David Plouffe, an adviser to former President Barack Obama now working with the Harris campaign, criticized Trump’s preference for Fox News, suggesting that Trump sought a more comfortable setting akin to a “Trump rally.” Plouffe highlighted the age difference, noting Trump is 78 and Harris is 59, and suggested this might influence Trump’s debate preferences.