Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out participating in a second presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, just days after their heated first encounter. Despite some polls showing mixed reactions to his performance, Trump insisted he won the debate and dismissed any need for a rematch.
“When a prizefighter loses, they immediately demand a rematch. Polls clearly show I won the debate against Comrade Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ Radical Left Candidate,” Trump declared on Truth Social.
He suggested that the first debate, which covered key issues like immigration and inflation, was sufficient, referencing his prior June debate with President Joe Biden.
Trump didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Biden-Harris administration, blaming them for “destroying” the country through inflation and unchecked immigration.
“Kamala and Crooked Joe have caused all these problems,” Trump claimed, adding that these issues were thoroughly discussed in both debates.
Trump also took a jab at Harris for her absence from previous debates and reiterated his decision: “Kamala should focus on what she should have done over the last four years. There will be no third debate.”
Both Trump and Harris, having accepted their respective party nominations earlier this year, are now in the final stretch of their campaigns ahead of the November 5 election.
Shortly after, at a campaign rally in North Carolina, Harris said they “owe” voters another debate because “what is at stake could not be more important”. Polls suggest the two candidates are in an extremely tight race with just two months to go before the election.
While Trump campaigns in the Western states, with a scheduled news conference and fundraiser in California followed by a rally in Nevada, Harris concentrates on battleground states in the East, particularly Pennsylvania.
Her campaign has been bolstered by post-debate momentum, raising $47 million within 24 hours of the debate, as she continues to draw large crowds in key swing states.
