Trump agrees to ABC debate with Harris
The presidential nominees will square off Sept. 10
What happened
Donald Trump ended weeks of self-fueled speculation and agreed to meet Kamala Harris for a Sept. 10 debate on ABC, the date and network previously scheduled for his second debate with President Joe Biden. Trump also proposed two additional debates with Harris to be hosted by Fox News on Sept. 4 and NBC on Sept. 25.
Who said what
Harris and Trump have both "confirmed they will attend the ABC debate" on Sept. 10, the network said. Last week, Trump said he would not debate on ABC and would face Harris on Sept. 4 on Fox News or "I won't see her at all."
Trump agreed to the ABC debate and proposed the other two during a "combative" and "meandering hour-long news conference" at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, The Washington Post said. Asked what he would do if Harris agreed only to the ABC debate, Trump said he didn't "know how that's gonna work out." Harris told reporters in Michigan she was "looking forward" to the Sept. 10 debate, was "glad" Trump had "finally committed" to it and "hope he shows up." She said she was "happy" to discuss "an additional debate after Sept. 10."
What next?
A Harris campaign official "reiterated their position that a Sept. 4 Fox debate is off the table" and said "discussions on future debates depend on Trump's participating in the Sept. 10 debate on ABC," Reuters said. The 90-minute ABC debate will be the "latest crucial moment in an already unpredictable presidential campaign," The New York Times said. It's "expected to be held in Philadelphia," moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, and "will probably be held without a live audience."
CBS, with Trump's backing, is discussing dates for a vice-presidential debate between J.D. Vance and Tim Walz, The Associated Press said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
-
Why is a government shutdown possible before the election?
Today's Big Question A fight over immigration, spending and the future of House Speaker Mike Johnson
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
DOJ charges 2 in white nationalist 'Terrorgram' plot
Feds say Dallas Humber and Matthew Allison were plotting assassinations through a terrorist network on Telegram
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Dozens dead in Vietnam after 'worst typhoon' in 30 years
At least 58 people are dead and hundreds are missing after Typhoon Yagi made landfall
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Why is a government shutdown possible before the election?
Today's Big Question A fight over immigration, spending and the future of House Speaker Mike Johnson
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump ups threatening rhetoric before debate
Tonight marks the first presidential debate between Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Any word that runs counter to the group can lead to a violent penalty'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Maduro rival flees Venezuela for exile in Spain
Speed Read Former Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo González fled as part of a negotiated deal with Nicolás Maduro’s government
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Keir Starmer defends winter fuel cut
Speed Read PM says government must 'fix the foundations' despite criticism
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
When families cross the aisle against presidential candidates
In The Spotlight Tim Walz's cousins, Donald Trump's niece and nephew, RFK Jr.'s siblings: When it comes to running for office, blood is not necessarily thicker than water
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'The Gish Gallop will certainly play a major role'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Will Kamala Harris give YIMBYs a voice in the White House?
Today's Big Question And can federal officials do anything about local housing rules?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published