Harris accepts invitation to CNN debate on October 23 and challenges Trump to a showdown again

CNN
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Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday accepted an invitation from CNN to debate former President Donald Trump on October 23, challenging her rival to another public appearance in the final weeks of the campaign.

“Vice President Harris is ready for another opportunity to share the stage with Donald Trump,” campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon said in a statement. “Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate.”

According to the broadcaster, the debate would be a mirror image of the first presidential debate in June 2024 between Trump and President Joe Biden, which would take place in CNN’s studios in Atlanta.

Trump hinted last week that he might be willing to participate in a third presidential debate after facing Harris on ABC in Philadelphia on Sept. 10. “Maybe if I get in the right frame of mind,” he told reporters during a stop in California, after earlier posting on Truth Social, “THERE WILL NOT BE A THIRD DEBATE!”

The CNN debate between Trump and Biden on June 27 proved to be a momentous showdown that turned the course of the campaign on its head. After a particularly poor performance at that debate in Atlanta, Biden eventually withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris as the Democratic candidate.

For October, CNN offered campaign teams a format similar to the June debate, in which Trump and Harris would answer moderators’ questions for 90 minutes without a live audience in the studio.

“Both Vice President Harris and former President Trump received an invitation to participate in a CNN debate this fall because we believe the American people would benefit from a second debate between the two candidates for President of the United States,” the network said in a statement. “We look forward to a response from both campaigns so that the American public can learn more from these candidates as they make their final decision.”