Updated Sep 22, 2024 - Business

Harris accepts CNN debate invite; Trump says it's "too late"

Avery Lotz

Former President Trump and Vice President Harris face off on an ABC debate stage. — Former President Trump speaks as Vice President Kamala Harris reacts during the presidential debate at National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sept. 10. Photo: Demetrius Freeman / The Washington Post via Getty Images

Vice President Kamala Harris accepted an invitation from CNN Saturday to debate former President Trump in an Oct. 23 face-off and challenged her opponent to another showdown before Election Day.

Why it matters: At a rally Saturday, the former president contended it's "too late" for another debate, noting, "Voting has already started"— but the Harris campaign has been pushing for another debate since the first one was held on Sept. 10.

The GOP nominee wrote on Truth Social earlier this month he wouldn't participate in a third debate. He told "Fox & Friends" the morning after he debated with Harris that he was "less inclined" to participate in another.
But he told reporters last week he could be open to another debate "if I got in the right mood."

Driving the news: Harris wrote on X Saturday, "I will gladly accept a second presidential debate on October 23."

The vice president tagged Trump in the post, adding, "I hope @realDonaldTrump will join me."

Flashback: This would be the second CNN-moderated debate following the consequential matchup between President Biden and Trump that sparked calls for the president to depart from the 2024 race.

What they're saying: "Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate," campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon said in a statement. "It is the same format and setup as the CNN debate he attended and said he won in June, when he praised CNN's moderators, rules, and ratings."

CNN offered the campaigns a similar format to the June debate, in which the two candidates would field inquiries for 90 minutes with no studio audience.
O'Malley Dillon continued, "We look forward to Vice President Harris again having the opportunity in the CNN debate to show her command of the issues and why it's time to turn the page on Donald Trump and chart a new way forward for America."

Friction point: When Harris and Trump faced off earlier this month, the former president repeatedly took bait set by his rival, prompting several off-the-rails moments.

Conservatives turned their ire toward ABC News moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis for fact-checking the former president in real time, accusing the network of being biased.

Zoom out: The decision for moderators to fact-check live contrasted with CNN's approach.

Moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash did not correct falsities live on air.
Rather, fact-checking was done live on CNN's digital site and on air after the debate.

What we're watching: Fox News also sent letters that were later shared with Axios to the Harris and Trump campaigns about hosting an October rematch, Axios' Rebecca Falconer reported earlier this month.

Go deeper: Inside Harris' high-risk, high-reward debate against Trump

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Harris accepts CNN debate invite; Trump says it's "too late"

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