Jul 25, 2024 - Politics & Policy

Trump campaign won't commit to Harris debate until Dems decide on nominee

Rebecca Falconer

Republican Presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks to attendees during his campaign rally at the Bojangles Coliseum on July 24, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. — Republican Presidential nominee former President Trump speaks during a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The Trump campaign said Thursday evening it couldn't commit to a presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris "until Democrats formally decide on their nominee."

The big picture: Jason Miller, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, told Axios earlier Thursday that a debate with Harris "will happen" and there "should be multiple debates," though he said the GOP presidential nominee's team was "non-committal" to the Sept. 10 debate hosted by ABC News.

President Biden dropping out of the 2024 race and Harris moving to secure enough Democratic delegates to become the party's presumptive nominee brought the debate schedule into question.
Former President Trump has said he would debate her, but would rather have another outlet like Fox News host it instead of ABC.

What they're saying: Trump communications director Steven Cheung in an emailed statement Thursday evening cited what he called "the continued political chaos" surrounding Biden and the Democrat Party as he said the general election debate details couldn't be finalized.

Cheung named former President Obama as he argued that there's "a strong sense by many" in the Democrat Party that Harris "cannot beat President Trump" and "they are still holding out" for someone better.
"Therefore, it would be inappropriate to schedule things with Harris because Democrats very well could still change their minds," Cheung added.

Flashback: Obama didn't endorse Biden until Democratic primary voters had chosen their presumptive nominee.

Go deeper: Harris says she's ready to debate Trump Sept. 10

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Trump campaign won't commit to Harris debate until Dems decide on nominee

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