Trump and Harris Set for September 10 Debate, With Two Additional Sessions Proposed
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/9th August 2024
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that he will debate U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10, with the debate to be hosted by ABC News. This debate marks the only one agreed upon by both the Trump and Harris campaigns. Trump made this announcement during a press briefing at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Thursday.
According to Trump, his campaign has confirmed participation in three debates across major American networks. Besides the September 10 ABC News debate, Trump’s campaign has also secured dates with Fox News and NBC News. The debate with Fox News is scheduled for September 4, while the NBC News debate is planned for September 25. Trump emphasized the importance of having these debates to clarify issues and present his perspectives.
Vice President Harris confirmed her participation in the ABC News debate through a post on X, previously known as Twitter. ABC News has also affirmed that both Harris and Trump will attend the debate on September 10. The network stated, “ABC News will host qualifying presidential candidates to debate on September 10 on ABC. Vice President Harris and former President Trump have both confirmed they will attend the ABC debate.”
Initially, Trump had withdrawn from the ABC News debate after President Joe Biden’s announcement that he would not seek reelection. However, Trump has now committed to a schedule of debates. He indicated that discussions are ongoing with other networks regarding the terms and additional dates.
Trump’s campaign has proposed two more debate sessions beyond the ABC News event. He stated that, “The other side has to agree to the terms. They may or may not agree. I don’t know if they’re going to agree.” Trump expressed his eagerness to engage in these debates, criticizing Harris for her lack of media engagement and competency, and asserting that the debates will help set the record straight.
In response, Harris, who was in Detroit attending an event with the United Auto Workers, expressed her willingness to participate in further debates. She stated, “I’m glad that he’s finally agreed to a debate on September 10th. I’m looking forward to it, and I hope he shows up.”
Trump also mentioned that CBS News is set to host a vice presidential debate next month. He praised his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, for his strong performance on the campaign trail. Meanwhile, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have been actively campaigning in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
The upcoming debates are anticipated to be a significant aspect of the 2024 election cycle, especially following Trump’s prior debates with President Biden before Biden’s withdrawal from the race. The debate schedule, involving prominent networks and key figures, is expected to play a crucial role in shaping voter opinions and influencing the electoral landscape.
