Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation from CNN to debate former President Donald Trump on October 23, marking a high-stakes moment in the final stretch of the 2024 presidential campaign. Harris’s campaign chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, confirmed the news Saturday, emphasizing the vice president’s readiness for another face-to-face confrontation with her Republican rival. “Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate,” Dillon said, expressing confidence in Harris’s preparation for the encounter.
Harris took to social media to confirm her acceptance, tweeting that she is “ready and willing” for a second debate and hopes Trump will agree to share the stage once more. However, Trump cast doubt on his participation, suggesting it might be too late for another debate since early voting is already underway. “The problem with another debate is that it’s just too late, voting has already started,” Trump remarked during a rally in North Carolina.
Though Trump has previously wavered on whether he would join additional debates, last week he hinted at the possibility, telling reporters he might be open to the idea “if I got in the right mood.” Yet, he had earlier declared on his social media platform, Truth Social, that there would be “NO THIRD DEBATE,” casting uncertainty over his final decision. Trump’s campaign has not officially confirmed his participation, with spokesperson Steven Cheung pointing to the former president’s previous statements.
Harris’s campaign has remained steadfast, dismissing Trump’s vacillations and calling for the October debate as a necessary engagement with voters. If it moves forward, the debate would take place at CNN’s studios in Atlanta and feature 90 minutes of moderated questions without a live audience, providing another opportunity for voters to see both candidates make their case for the presidency. The debate could prove decisive, much like the June showdown between Trump and President Biden, which significantly reshaped the race, leading to Biden’s eventual withdrawal and endorsement of Harris.
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