Harris accuses Trump of "fear of a TV duel"
Donald Trump is anxious and trying to avoid the debate he has already agreed to, rushing to Fox News to get help, said Michael Tyler, communications director of the Harris campaign, on Saturday. Trump must "stop playing games and show up for the debate he has already committed to for September 10th."
Before incumbent Joe Biden exited the race, a second TV duel with Trump on ABC was scheduled for September 10th. It was widely expected that this debate would now take place with Harris as the likely new Democratic presidential candidate instead of Biden. Trump rejected this.
Instead, the Republican presidential candidate declared that he wants to face Harris on Fox News on September 4th - his long-time "home network". The 78-year-old wrote on his online service Truth Social that the debate should take place in the battleground US state of Pennsylvania and be moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, with an audience present.
Fox News confirmed that the debate will take place with an audience and follow similar rules to the first debate between Trump and Biden on CNN on June 27th. In that debate, the candidates were only given a pen, a pad of paper, and a water bottle. Additionally, only the microphone of the speaker was on, while the other's was muted. Biden appeared so confused in that debate that he ultimately had to withdraw his candidacy for another term.
At a campaign event in Atlanta on Saturday, Trump reiterated his intentions - and put pressure on Harris: "We're doing it with Fox, if she shows up." He doesn't believe, however, that Harris will appear at the debate. "She can't talk," the Republican presidential candidate added.
Just recently, Trump had said he wouldn't have any TV debate with Harris. The 59-year-old then challenged the 78-year-old former president. If Trump has something to say, he should say it "to her face."
Harris is not yet officially confirmed as the Democratic candidate for the election on November 5th. Her party has already announced, however, that she has received enough votes for her official nomination in the ongoing electronic vote of US Democrats. She has also been endorsed by the 99-year-old former US president Jimmy Carter. "I'm trying to hold out to vote for Kamala Harris," he said.
Meanwhile, Harris is still undecided about her vice-presidential running mate. She must announce the name of her "running mate" by Monday because she plans to go on a nationwide campaign tour with him on Tuesday. The current favorite is Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Michael Tyler, communications director of the Harris campaign, expressed his belief that Donald Trump should fulfill his commitment to the September 10th debate, mentioning, "You know, Michael Tyler..." Trump, however, has expressed a desire to face Harris on Fox News on September 4th, a request that Tyler's statement seemed to imply Trump should reconsider.
