Former President Donald Trump has proposed a debate with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris on Fox News for September 4, countering the originally scheduled ABC debate on September 10.
Trump's request comes after President Joe Biden dropped his reelection bid, leaving Harris as the Democratic nominee. Trump insists on a full arena audience in Pennsylvania, reminiscent of his first debate with Biden.
Harris, who clinched the Democratic nomination on Friday, intends to follow the ABC debate plan. On social media, she criticized Trump, implying he sought a "safe space" rather than honoring their initial agreement.
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Her spokesperson, Michael Tyler, accused Trump of "running scared," reiterating their commitment to the September 10 debate.
In response, Trump claimed Harris is "afraid" to debate him on September 4, suggesting he might skip further debates if his proposal is rejected.
Both candidates are actively campaigning nationwide, with Trump intensifying his attacks on Harris, especially regarding her racial identity. At a recent rally, Trump questioned Harris' heritage and mocked her intelligence, which drew backlash from various quarters.
Harris' campaign condemned Trump's comments, with Geoff Duncan, former Republican lieutenant governor of Georgia, criticizing Trump's divisive rhetoric. Trump's contentious remarks come amid advice from senior Republicans urging him to avoid personal attacks on Harris.
The controversy follows Trump's assertion that the ABC debate was "terminated" due to his litigation with the network. ABC outlined debate qualifications without mentioning specific candidates, maintaining a tight contest between Harris and Trump in recent polls.
Trump's proposal coincides with a Democratic National Committee ad campaign questioning his reluctance to debate, highlighting the stark contrasts in campaign strategies as the November 5 election approaches.
