Trump wavers on Harris debate, says he may ‘make a case’ to skip it

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump mentioned Monday that whereas he “in all probability” will debate Vice President Kamala Harris, he “may additionally make a case” for avoiding a face-to-face confrontation together with his seemingly Democratic opponent.

Trump, in a Fox Information interview that aired Monday night, didn’t initially say whether or not he would decide to a debate with Harris. And whereas he appeared to verify that he was sport for a debate, his solutions left room for ambiguity.

The remarks underscored how far the dynamics of the race have shifted within the week since President Joe Biden withdrew his reelection bid — a call that got here after his disastrous debate towards Trump in late June.

Earlier than that debate, Trump had repeatedly challenged Biden to face him “anytime, wherever, anyplace.” However when requested about debating Harris, he struck a distinct tone.

“So, I like debating. I like debating, I’ve carried out quite a lot of debates,” the previous president instructed Fox host Laura Ingraham.

“I need to do a debate, however I can also say this: Everyone is aware of who I’m, and now individuals know who she is,” he mentioned, accusing Harris of being a “radical left lunatic.”

Ingraham interjected: “Then why not debate her?”

Trump responded, “Nicely, wait. However, as a result of they already know every little thing.”

When Ingraham mentioned, “They will say you are afraid of debating her,” Trump replied, “They mentioned that with Biden, too.”

“I am main within the polls,” Trump added, though numerous latest survey present Harris in a digital tie or slight lead, each nationally and in key swing states.

“The answer is sure, I will in all probability find yourself debating,” Trump mentioned, including, “I believe really the talk ought to happen earlier than the votes begin getting solid.”

He famous that his second debate with Biden within the 2020 race was “superb,” however a big chunk of the votes had already been solid by the point that mid-October occasion befell.

“So the answer is sure,” Trump mentioned. “However I may make a case for not doing it.”

Harris, in the meantime, has publicly pushed Trump to debate her since she turn out to be the de facto Democratic nominee following Biden’s withdrawal on July 21.

Her marketing campaign mentioned earlier Monday that she shall be on the Sept. 10 presidential debate — which Trump and then-candidate Biden had beforehand agreed to attend — whether or not her GOP rival is there or not.

“We’ll see if Trump exhibits,” Harris marketing campaign spokesman Michael Tyler mentioned in an announcement.

“As Vice President Harris mentioned final week, the American individuals deserve to listen to from the 2 candidates operating for the very best workplace within the land and she is going to try this at September’s ABC debate,” Tyler mentioned. “If Donald Trump and his group are saying something apart from ‘we’ll see you there,’ — and it seems that they’re — it is a handy however anticipated backtrack from Group Trump.”

Harris has already accused Trump of “backpedaling” from that debate.

“I believe that voters should see the cut up display that exists on this race on a debate stage, and so I am prepared,” Harris instructed reporters on Thursday. “Let’s go.”

Whereas Trump instructed reporters final week he can be keen to debate Harris “a number of instances,” he additionally mentioned that he was “not thrilled about ABC.”

“They’re really making an attempt to make a hero out of Joe Biden when he was the worst president in historical past, they usually had been doing issues like with Kamala, like what an exquisite factor that she is operating,” he mentioned. “I do not like the thought of ABC.”

Trump’s marketing campaign then mentioned on Thursday that it “can be inappropriate” to schedule a debate towards Harris, since she shouldn’t be but the official Democratic nominee.

“Given the continued political chaos surrounding Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrat Celebration, common election debate particulars can’t be finalized till Democrats formally determine on their nominee,” Trump marketing campaign spokesman Steven Cheung mentioned. “It might be inappropriate to schedule issues with Harris as a result of Democrats very properly may nonetheless change their minds.”

Neither Trump nor Biden had been their events’ official nominees after they debated in June.

ABC Information on Friday launched its qualification necessities for the talk, suggesting the community is transferring ahead with its plans regardless of Trump’s refusal to commit.