U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Democratic opponent Kamala Harris will debate on September 10 on ABC, the network confirmed on Thursday. This will be the first face-to-face matchup between the rivals in what polls show is an extremely close race. This announcement follows Harris’s campaign pressure for a debate.
In a rambling news conference at his Palm Beach, Florida, residence, Donald Trump requested two additional debates on September 4 and September 25 to be aired on Fox and NBC. He did not specify details such as whether there would be an audience, and his campaign later clarified that he had mixed up which network would host which debate.
Meanwhile, Harris has expressed excitement for the upcoming debate, echoing the growing anticipation among Americans for this upcoming debate. At a campaign event in Detroit, she conveyed her anticipation for the September 10 debate, according to an NBC reporter on X.
Harris has emerged as a strong candidate, closing the gap with Trump despite entering the race as a surprise contender. Opinion polls show she has erased the lead Trump had over President Joe Biden and that Democrats have swiftly garnered significant financial support from voters and donors. An Ipsos poll published on Thursday found Harris had widened her lead over Trump since late July, with 42% support compared to Trump’s 37%. This contrasts with a July 22-23 Reuters/Ipsos survey, which had shown her leading 37% to 34%.
Impact of Harris’s Candidacy
Trump had previously suggested he might back out of the ABC debate, which was scheduled before Harris, the U.S. vice president, replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate less than three weeks ago. This late entry by Harris has significantly shifted the dynamics of the race.
Trump’s Recent Activities
The news conference was Trump’s first public appearance since Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday. Harris and Walz have been actively campaigning in battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, drawing large crowds and energizing Democrats.
Trump Campaign Response
Harris’s rapid rise has prompted Trump’s team to reevaluate their strategy and messaging
Trump insisted on Thursday that he has not altered his approach to the race, attributing any setbacks in Biden’s record to Harris based on a shared responsibility approach. He also lamented his inability to face Biden in the election, suggesting the president was the victim of an unconstitutional plot to remove him from the Democratic ticket.
