Former US President Donald Trump recommitted to debating Vice President Kamala Harris after recently backing out.
ADVERTISEMENTIn his first conference since US Vice President Kamala Harris officially became the Democratic presidential candidate, Donald Trump said he would debate her on 10 September.
At a lengthy news conference on Thursday, the former US president recommitted to debating Harris after recently backing out — setting up a widely anticipated faceoff in an already unparalleled election.
Trump said he proposed three debates with three television networks during the month of September.
His decision sets up a high-stakes moment in an election where Biden’s catastrophic performance in the last debate ultimately set his withdrawal in motion.
The event on Thursday was Trump’s first public appearance since Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
“Between her and him, there’s never been anything like this,” Trump said, “There’s certainly never been anybody so liberal like these two.”
As he addressed reporters at his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump again wrongly insisted there had been a peaceful transfer of power in 2021 and repeatedly suggested Harris was not intelligent enough to debate him.
Harris left Detroit for Arizona on Friday as part of a tour of swing states this week.
On her way onto Air Force Two, she spoke to reporters about Trump agreeing to debate her next month.
"Well, I'm glad that he's finally agreed to a debate on 10 September. I'm looking forward to it. And, I hope he shows up," said Harris.