On Thursday, former President Donald Trump declared that he would not be participating in another presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris.
"NO MORE DEBATES!" Trump announced on Truth Social, referring to his previous encounters—one with President Joe Biden in June and another with Harris during Tuesday's debate.
Harris’ campaign had earlier urged for an additional debate following their recent face-off at ABC’s presidential event in Philadelphia. Speaking at a rally in Charlotte on Thursday, Harris reiterated her stance: “I think we owe it to the voters to hold another debate. This election holds critical importance.”
However, Trump seemed to put an end to the speculation about a possible third debate, stating that Harris "SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON WHAT SHE SHOULD HAVE DONE OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS."
In response, the Harris campaign expressed skepticism, not taking Trump’s words as a final decision. “He changes his mind frequently,” a senior campaign advisor commented. “I expect we’ll see another debate.”
After the Philadelphia debate, Trump defended his performance to reporters, criticizing the ABC moderators as “very unfair,” and described the event as “three-on-one.” On Fox News the following day, Trump cast doubt on whether he would participate in another debate, though he maintained that he had “won” the event.
Drawing an analogy from combat sports, Trump wrote on Wednesday via Truth Social: “In Boxing or UFC, when a fighter loses or gets knocked out, they shout, ‘I DEMAND A REMATCH!’ Well, it’s the same with debates. She lost badly last night. Every poll shows us WINNING.”
Contrary to Trump’s claim, CNN’s fact-checking team reported that, as of Thursday, major scientific polls indicated Harris had won the debate. A CNN/SSRS flash poll of registered voters who watched Tuesday’s event also found that Harris outperformed Trump in their eyes.
Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who had endorsed Trump after suspending his own campaign, commented on Fox News that while Trump "won on substance," Harris “clearly excelled in delivery, organization, and preparation.”
Looking ahead, Trump and Harris’ running mates—Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz—are set to debate on October 1, in an event hosted by CBS.
News Source: CNN
Last Presidential Debate on ABC News: