Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation from CNN to participate in a second debate with former President Donald Trump. However, it seems unlikely that the debate will actually take place, as Trump stated during a rally in North Carolina that the proposed date is too late in the election cycle for a debate.
Harris expressed her willingness to participate in the debate on October 23rd in a post on X, responding to CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins. The Trump campaign responded by referring to a post made by Trump on Truth Social on September 12th, where he emphatically stated that there would be no subsequent debate.
During an afternoon rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, Trump mentioned being informed about the CNN debate proposal as he was getting off his plane. He portrayed the invitation as a desperate attempt to revive what he claimed was Harris’ failing campaign and commented that while it would provide good entertainment value, there wouldn’t be much point due to timing.
Trump explained that another debate is not feasible because voting has already begun and mentioned his previous invitation for Harris to debate on Fox, which she declined. He also criticized Fox for turning down their request but now wanting to do a last-minute debate with CNN because they are supposedly losing badly.
If the October 23rd debate were to happen, it would take place at CNN’s studios in Atlanta and follow a similar format as Trump’s previous debate with President Joe Biden. The candidates would respond to moderators’ questions for 90 minutes without a live studio audience.
CNN released a statement expressing their belief that the American people would benefit from another presidential candidate’s debate and eagerly await responses from both campaigns so they can make their final decision.
Trump’s recent remarks reinforce his previous stance after his first debate with Harris when he declared there would be no subsequent debates between them. He used a metaphor comparing Harris to a boxer or UFC fighter who lost but immediately demanded a rematch.
