Donald Trump makes it clear: he doesn’t want a second debate, no matter which network hosts it.
The former president ruled out another debate with Kamala Harris in a post on his social media network on Wednesday. “THERE WILL BE NO REMATCH!” he said in all caps.
Trump gave several reasons for his decision, including that voting has already begun in some states and that he is “LEADER IN THE POLLS,” even though polls show a close race with Harris in the swing states that will determine the election .
His refusal to debate, even on the friendly turf of Fox News, suggests he is unwilling to risk the unpredictability of a head-to-head battle with the vice president in the final weeks of the campaign. Harris has said she is open to another matchup.
Trump’s social media post came hours after Fox proposed a debate in Pennsylvania later this month.
Harris accepted a second debate after their first showdown hosted by ABC on September 10, saying the candidates “owe it to the voters” to have a second debate. Trump has tried to characterize their first as a victory, although it was widely seen as a success for the vice president.
CNN offered to host a debate in Atlanta on October 23, and Harris accepted. The network set a deadline of Thursday for both camps to respond to the invitation.
Last month, the Harris campaign said the vice president will be in Atlanta on Oct. 23 and that “Donald Trump must step up and face the voters.”
Her campaign had no immediate response to his social media post.
