Harris campaign challenges Trump to 2nd presidential debate
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Former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are shown on a screen during a debate watch party in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Tuesday. Photo: Allison Joyce/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign called for a second presidential debate soon after she wrapped up her first one with former President Trump on Tuesday night.
The latest: Trump initially said during a live post-debate interview on Fox News that he'd "have to think about it" and that Harris wanted a second debate "because she lost," but when host Sean Hannity pushed him on it Trump said: "Maybe if it was on a fair network."
- Hannity suggested he could moderate a second debate, which Fox News proposed on Tuesday could take place in October, "like I did" with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
- "I think it would be fair. You would be fair, actually, you want to know the truth," Trump said.
The big picture: Trump took Harris' bait throughout the evening, often making rambling statements or unleashing personal attacks that are unlikely to appeal to moderate voters.
- The Harris campaign said in an email that the Democratic nominee "commanded the stage on every single issue that matters to the American people" during the debate in Philadelphia, while Trump wrote on Truth social that he had his "best Debate, EVER," while not committing to another debate.
What they're saying: The Harris campaign claimed Harris "offers a New Way Forward for the country" while Trump "was totally incoherent."
- The campaign said Trump became "angry and rattled" after Harris brought up the Supreme Court overturning of Roe v. Wade.
- "Under the bright lights, the American people got to see the choice they will face this fall at the ballot box: between moving forward with Kamala Harris, or going backwards with Trump," the campaign said.
- "That's what they saw tonight and what they should see at a second debate in October. Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?"
Zoom out: Trump and other conservatives are crying foul over ABC News debate moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis, both of whom fact-checked the Republican presidential nominee in several instances.
- "THREE ON ONE!" Trump wrote.
- "People are saying BIG WIN tonight!" He said in another post.
- Representatives for the Trump campaign did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment.
What we're watching: Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum announced Tuesday night that the network had sent letters that were later shared with Axios to the Harris and Trump campaigns about hosting an October rematch just before the debate began.
- The letter proposed holding a second debate "while early in-person voting gets underway in multiple battleground states," per a letter shared with Axios. It suggested three possible dates and places:
- Oct. 9 in Arizona, Oct. 15 in Georgia and Oct. 16 in North Carolina.
- Fox News confirmed in an email that the network proposed having Baier and MacCallum as debate moderators.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
