Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, along with other Democrats, have urged former President Trump to debate Vice President Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, in the coming weeks, suggesting Trump is “afraid” of his new rival.
The Trump campaign said the 78-year-old former president would not respond to a debate at this time due to the rapidly changing nature of the race. President Biden, 81, gave up on his reelection bid less than a week ago and quickly endorsed Harris, 59, for the top spot on the Democratic ticket.
Buttigieg, Currently appearing Appearing on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Friday, former Vice President Joe Biden suggested there may have been another reason why Trump avoided the debate, even though he had agreed to debate the then-candidate on September 10.
“Bold statements are this man’s trademark, but on this occasion he has shown surprising weakness.” Buttigieg said:He is considered the leading candidate to be Harris’ running mate.[Trump] “He said that everywhere and at all times, but more than that, he agreed to this particular debate, this particular network, this particular date, and now he’s backed out.”
“It shows he’s afraid,” he added.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (Democrat), who is reportedly also a finalist to be Harris’ running mate, posted on the social platform X that Trump is “afraid to debate Harris.”
“He’s scared because he can no longer escape his record. But here in Pennsylvania, we haven’t forgotten who he is, and he’s not going back.” He wrote.
Harris also joined in the mockery of the former president.
“What happened to ‘Anytime, Anywhere’?” Posted by Harris The post was made to X in response to a post about Trump not participating in the debate.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Chang said in a statement Thursday night that the former president will refrain from participating in the general election debates due to developments within the Democratic Party.
“Given the ongoing political turmoil surrounding the villainous Joe Biden and the Democratic Party, details of the general election debate cannot be finalized until the Democratic Party formally selects its nominee,” Chung said, suggesting without evidence that Harris may not remain in the November election. “It is entirely possible that the Democrats could change their mind, so it would be inappropriate to schedule an event with Harris.”
Harris secured the necessary delegate support for the Democratic nomination through a delegate pledge ballot within days of announcing her candidacy. Democratic Party officials plan to formalize the nomination with a virtual roll call in early August. Harris has until Aug. 7 to choose a running mate. A source confirmed to The Hill that Harris’ team has begun selecting candidates.
The Trump campaign’s statement came before former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, endorsed Harris on Friday.
Chung said in a statement Thursday that President Obama’s lack of support at the time was a sign of weak support within the party for Harris’ nomination.
Trump notably avoided all of the Republican primary debates last fall, despite being the clear front-runner to win the nomination.
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for a second time, criticized Trump during a televised debate with other Republican candidates on Fox Business in September.
“If you continue to evade, we won’t call you Donald Trump, we’ll call you Donald Duck,” Christie said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (Republican), who has since supported Trump, also blasted the former president, saying he was “missing in battle.”
“He should be on this stage tonight,” he said. “He owes it to himself to defend his record.”
Their provocations were unsuccessful, and Christie, DeSantis and other Republicans gradually withdrew from the campaign trail without facing Trump in a 2024 primary debate, a decision Trump often cited as the reason for his large lead in primary polls.
“Why would you let these guys get on you when you’re up by 40 points?” he said in an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier last summer.
According to polling analysis by The Hill and Decision Desk, Trump currently has a slight lead over Harris in the early stages of the campaign.
