After Harris said she was open to debating the former president, the Trump campaign said on Thursday that it would not agree to a general election debate with Harris “until the Democratic Party has formally decided on its nominee.”
“Given the ongoing political turmoil surrounding Bad Joe Biden and the Democratic Party, details for the general election debates cannot be finalized until the Democratic Party has formally decided on its nominee,” Trump spokesman Steven Chang said in a statement.
“Many within the Democratic Party feel strongly that Kamala Harris is a Marxist conman who cannot beat President Trump, and they are still waiting for someone ‘better,'” Chang argued, pointing out that former President Barack Obama has not yet endorsed Harris, though he is expected to officially endorse her soon.
“Therefore, it would be inappropriate to schedule a meeting with Ms. Harris as there is a good chance that the Democrats will change their mind,” Chang said.
Trump and Biden agreed to two debates, on June 27 and Sept. 10. Biden’s disastrous performance in the June debate prompted calls from Democrats for him to step down as the nominee, and Biden made that decision on Sunday in the face of growing pressure.
Harris has secured enough delegate support to be the likely Democratic nominee for the Democratic National Convention, which runs from August 19 to 22 in Chicago.
Harris said Thursday she was “ready to go” to debate former President Trump, provoking her after her Republican rival suggested she might not want to attend the ABC News-hosted event as originally scheduled.
“I’ve agreed to the Sept. 10 debate, which I previously agreed to, and he previously agreed to,” Harris said. “Now he’s backed away, but I’m ready. I think voters deserve to see a split screen of this race on the debate stage, so I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he would “absolutely” hold at least one debate with Harris, who is seen as the leading Democratic candidate to succeed Biden after he leaves office, before Election Day.
But he slammed ABC News, which was scheduled to host the upcoming presidential debate on September 10th.
“I agreed to debate Joe Biden, but I want to debate her,” he said. “They have the same policies. I think debates are important in a presidential election.”
