Former President Donald Trump has refused requests to engage in another debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, ending speculation over a potential rematch following their previous debate.
The New York Post reported that Harris's insistence on the necessity of a second debate, Trump has firmly declined to participate due to his belief that he has already prevailed and because early voting is currently taking place.
The first debate between Trump and Harris occurred on September 10. Following this event, the Vice President's campaign continued to push for another meeting on the debate stage, a call which intensified after a separate vice-presidential debate featuring Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance.
Despite her campaign's efforts, Trump remains convinced that a second debate is unnecessary.
Harris's campaign stands firm in its belief that the public should witness another debate between the two leaders.
They even referenced an Atlanta debate on October 23, organized by CNN, as an opportunity for this. Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris's campaign chair, emphasized the significance of the debate, urging Trump to join Harris in presenting their respective cases to the voters.
Trump, however, is resolute in his stance, repeating his claim of victory in the previous debate with Harris. He argues against the need for another encounter, citing polling data indicating his lead in various surveys, although these results are somewhat mixed.
While Trump maintains his perceived debate victory, the polling landscape appears more nuanced. Some polls, particularly from the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, indicate that Harris leads Trump in five crucial battleground states—Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
However, Trump is ahead in Georgia by a narrow margin of two points, and they are currently tied in North Carolina.
Nationally, polling data from Hill/Decision Desk HQ suggest a more favorable outlook for Harris, with an approximate 4.5-point edge over Trump, capturing 50.3 percent against Trump's 45.8 percent. Trump, nonetheless, remains confident in his standing, frequently highlighting his lead in specific surveys as a justification for skipping another debate.
Trump's justification for not participating in another debate hinges on the ongoing early voting process and his lead in the polls.
He dismissed the need for a further debate, emphasizing his previous victories over both President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris. According to Trump, the situation has already been settled in his favor.
"I beat Biden, I then beat her, and I’m not looking to do it again," Trump remarked, asserting that the American public has already started casting votes. He expressed confidence in his current positioning while casting doubt on Harris's capability to lead the country effectively.
Harris's campaign, meanwhile, insists on the importance of a subsequent debate. They believe it would provide voters with a meaningful opportunity to compare the two candidates' visions and leadership styles more directly in person.
The refusal to engage in another debate has raised questions about the potential impact on voter engagement and interest across the country.
With early voting underway, the absence of another high-profile debate suggests that voters will rely heavily on available media coverage and campaign outreach to make informed decisions.
Harris's campaign continues to argue the benefit of another debate, focusing on issues they believe are critical for voters to consider before casting their ballots. However, without Trump's participation, the dialog around their policies and visions remains primarily channeled through campaign statements and other events.
While Trump is steadfast in his decision, the political stakes remain high as both parties concentrate their efforts on the final weeks leading into the election. As the two campaigns move forward without the prospect of another joint debate, they continue to navigate a complex and divided political landscape leading up to Election Day.
