August 2, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign made a strong appeal for former President Donald Trump to “man up” and agree to a debate scheduled for September 10. The debate was initially planned to feature Trump against President Joe Biden. However, after Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race on July 21 and his endorsement of Harris, the debate now stands as a potential showdown between Trump and the presumptive Democratic nominee, Harris.
Trump has been hesitant to commit to the debate, suggesting in a Fox Business interview that there is no real need for it. “Everybody knows” both candidates, he asserted, implying that a debate would not be necessary. In response, the Harris campaign quickly issued a statement via X (formerly Twitter), accusing Trump of being “too scared” to face Harris on stage.
The campaign’s statement read, “Donald Trump needs to man up. He’s got no problem spreading lies and hateful garbage at his rallies or in interviews with right-wing commentators. But he’s apparently too scared to do it standing across the stage from the Vice President of the United States.” The statement further urged Trump to “walk the walk,” reflecting remarks Harris made at a rally in Atlanta.
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At the Atlanta rally, Harris addressed Trump’s withdrawal from the debate, remarking on the shifting momentum in the race and Trump’s reluctance to debate. “The momentum in this race is shifting, and there are signs that Donald Trump is feeling it. He pulled out of the debate he had previously agreed to… So, he won’t debate, but he and his running mate [Ohio Senator JD Vance] sure seem to have a lot to say about me,” she said. Harris concluded with a challenge, “Well, Donald, I do hope you’ll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage. Because as the saying goes, if you got something to say, say it to my face.”
Earlier in March, Trump had expressed a willingness to debate President Biden “anytime, anywhere, anyplace” on Truth Social. His current reluctance to debate Harris contrasts sharply with these earlier statements. Trump told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo that his significant lead in the polls might make the debate unnecessary, stating, “I mean right now I say, why should I do a debate? I’m leading in the polls. And, everybody knows her, everybody knows me.”
Additionally, Trump suggested that any debate with Harris should occur on Fox News, criticizing ABC News as “too biased” and “not worthy” of hosting the event. Fox News has proposed a debate date of September 17, but neither candidate has yet confirmed acceptance of this date.
Recent polling data shows a narrowing lead for Trump following Biden’s exit from the race. As of Friday, FiveThirtyEight’s average of polls indicates Harris leading Trump nationally by 45 percent to 43.5 percent, a margin within the statistical uncertainty interval.
This ongoing debate about the debate underscores the heightened tensions and stakes as the 2024 election race intensifies.
