Donald Trump is making it clear: He doesn’t want a second debate, regardless of which network is hosting.
The former president ruled out another debate with Kamala Harris in a Wednesday post on his social media network. “THERE WILL BE NO REMATCH!” he said in all capital letters.
Trump gave several reasons for his decision, including that voting has already begun in some states and that he is “LEADING IN THE POLLS,” though polling shows a close race with Harris in the swing states that will determine the election.
His refusal to debate, even on the friendly territory of Fox News, suggests he is unwilling to risk the unpredictability of a head-to-head contest with the vice president in the final weeks of the campaign. Harris has said she’s 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 following their first showdown hosted by ABC on Sept. 10, saying the candidates “owe it to the voters” to have a second debate. Trump has sought to characterize their first one as a victory though it was widely viewed as a success for the vice president.
CNN offered to host a debate in Atlanta on Oct. 23, and Harris accepted. The network set Thursday as a deadline 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 should step up and face the voters.”
Her campaign had no immediate response to his social media post.
