Former United States of America President, Donald Trump declared that he will not engage in a third presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump made the announcement via Truth Social, stating emphatically, “THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!” He was referring to his earlier debates—one with President Joe Biden in June and another with Harris on Wednesday.
Harris’ campaign had advocated for an additional debate following their recent encounter at ABC’s debate in Philadelphia. During a rally in Charlotte on Thursday, Harris reiterated her call for more debate, emphasizing the importance of the election and the issues at stake.
Despite Harris’ appeal, Trump dismissed the idea, suggesting that Harris should focus on her past record rather than push for another debate. “SHE SHOULD FOCUS ON WHAT SHE SHOULD HAVE DONE DURING THE LAST ALMOST FOUR YEAR PERIOD,” Trump remarked.
A senior advisor from Harris’ team was skeptical about Trump’s decision, noting his tendency to frequently change his stance. “He changes his position every day,” the advisor said, predicting that another debate could still happen.
After the Philadelphia debate, Trump criticized the ABC moderators as “very unfair” and claimed it was a “three-on-one” situation. He continued to assert his victory on Fox News the following day, expressing uncertainty about participating in another debate while maintaining that he had “won.”
In a comparison to combat sports, Trump likened his debate performance to a fighter demanding a rematch after a knockout.
However, CNN’s Fact Check reported that most scientific polls indicated Harris as the debate’s winner. Former independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has endorsed Trump, conceded that while Trump excelled on substance, Harris outshone him in delivery and preparation.
Looking ahead, the running mates of Trump and Harris, Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are set to debate on October 1, hosted by CBS.
