Kamala is making some brazen claims.
On Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign fired back at former President Donald Trump’s announcement that he had “agreed” to a debate on Fox News, labeling the Republican nominee as “running scared.”
Harris, who was officially named the Democratic Party’s presumptive presidential nominee on Friday, has made history as the first Black and first Asian woman to secure a major U.S. political party’s nomination. Trump’s hesitance to confirm his participation in debates had been evident, especially after President Joe Biden’s unexpected decision to step down on July 21.
Michael Tyler, Harris’ campaign communications director, expressed frustration over Trump’s reluctance to engage in debates, despite his previous commitments. “Donald Trump is clearly intimidated and trying to evade the debate he has already agreed to. Instead, he’s seeking refuge with Fox News to avoid a direct confrontation. It’s time for him to stop dodging and honor his commitment to debate on September 10,” Tyler stated.
Tyler further emphasized, “Vice President Harris is ready to take the stage and address a national audience, whether Trump shows up or not. We’re open to discussing additional debates after the one we’ve both agreed to. Trump’s claim of being available ‘anytime, anywhere’ should hold true, unless he’s too afraid to appear on the 10th.”
Originally, Harris was set to debate Trump at the ABC News event on September 10, a debate arranged before Biden’s withdrawal. Following Biden’s exit, Trump’s campaign cast doubt on participating in a debate with Harris, suggesting uncertainty about the Democratic nominee.
On July 25, Trump’s campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, argued that scheduling with Harris might be premature given the potential for Democrats to alter their nominee.
However, Trump later announced on Truth Social that he had agreed to a debate with Harris on September 4, to be aired on Fox News. Trump highlighted that this debate would take place in Pennsylvania, with moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, and suggested that it would follow similar rules to his prior debate with Biden, now labeled a “sleepy” figure by Trump. He also criticized Biden’s handling by his party and implied that the debate would be held before a full arena audience.
Despite these developments, a source familiar with the debate discussions indicated that ABC News might still provide airtime for the debate with whichever qualifying candidates show up, even if it ends up being only Harris.
On Saturday evening, Trump took to Truth Social again, questioning Harris’ debate readiness and suggesting she lacks the capability for a substantial debate. “Kamala Harris doesn’t have the mental capacity for a REAL debate with me on September 4 in Pennsylvania,” Trump wrote. He added, “I’ll either see her then, or I won’t see her at all. Harris, along with the worst president in history, Joe Biden, has contributed to the country’s decline. But we will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
