Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump walks off the stage after speaking at a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 20, 2024.
Anna Money Tree | Getty Images
former presidentDonald Trump Said Tuesday he was willing to debate the vice president Kamala Harris If she is nominated multiple times as expected Democratic National Convention as the party’s presidential candidate.
“In fact, I’d love to have more than one debate,” Trump said in a phone call with reporters two days after the inauguration. Joe Biden Shocking exit from the race Support Harris as his replacement on the Democratic ticket.
“Yes, of course, I want to” debate Harris, the Republican nominee said.
“I think if you’re a Democratic candidate or a Republican candidate, you do have an obligation to debate,” he said.
“So, this is very important,” said Trump, who was formally nominated last week, two days after narrowly avoiding an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in western Pennsylvania.
Trump had previously debated with Biden on June 27, when Biden was the presumptive Democratic nominee.
Biden’s dismal performance in that showdown immediately raised questions about his mental acuity and ability to defeat Trump. The debate quickly sparked calls for Biden to step down and replace him with another Democratic candidate.
Trump agreed in May to hold a June debate with Biden, which was hosted by CNN, and agreed to a second debate on September 10, which was supposed to be hosted by ABC News .
On Tuesday, Trump said any debate with Harris would not be hosted by ABC.
“I’m not excited about ABC because I saw fake news last night,” Trump said. “They’re actually trying to make a hero out of Joe Biden when he’s the worst president in history and they’re doing that. Something like Kamala, it’s like what a wonderful thing she’s doing.”
“I don’t like the idea of ​​ABC.”
Trump also said he expected his debate with Harris to have the same outcome as his debate with Biden.
“I want to argue with her, she’s not going to be any different because they have the same policies,” Trump said.
Trump said he would not have chosen a running mate other than Ohio Sen. Vance if he had known Biden would drop out.
