Donald Trump, the former president, appears to be reconsidering his earlier commitment to debate Vice President Kamala Harris. In a recent interview with Fox News Channel, Trump expressed doubts about the value of such a debate, although he eventually said he would “probably” participate.
Trump had initially agreed to debate President Joe Biden, the then-Democratic nominee. However, after Biden dropped out and Harris emerged as the likely Democratic candidate, Trump began questioning the terms of the debate. He suggested moving the September 10 debate from ABC News, which he labeled “fake news,” to a different network.
Initial Commitment to Debate
Last week, Trump had confidently stated his willingness to debate Harris, emphasizing the obligation to do so. “Oh, yes, absolutely. I’d want to,” he said when asked if he would commit to at least one debate with Harris.
During the Monday interview with host Laura Ingraham, Trump was pressed multiple times about his commitment. He responded, “I want to do a debate. But I also can say this. Everybody knows who I am. And now people know who she is.” Eventually, he said, “The answer is yes, I’ll probably end up debating,” but added that he could also make a case for not participating.
Previous Debate Skips
This uncertainty is not new for Trump, who skipped all the 2024 Republican primary debates, citing issues with timing and venue. He ultimately decided against participating in any of those debates.
Harris’s campaign spokesperson, Ammar Moussa, accused Trump of trying to avoid facing Harris. “It’s clear from tonight’s question-dodging: He’s scared he’ll have to defend his running mate’s weird attacks on women or his own calls to end elections in America in a debate against the vice president,” Moussa said.
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Clarifying Controversial Comments
In the same interview, Trump sought to clarify controversial comments he made at a recent conservative event. He had told an audience of Christians they “won’t have to vote anymore” after he’s elected, which drew alarm from Democrats and others.
Trump’s campaign offered various explanations, and in the interview, Trump said his comments were meant to encourage Christians to vote this time. He promised to “straighten out the country” so well that future voting would be unnecessary. “If you don’t want to vote anymore, that’s OK,” he added.
Trump made similar comments at another Christian-focused event, urging Christians to vote in this election but suggesting that in four years, voting wouldn’t be necessary because the country would be “fixed.”
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