US presidential election 2024: Donald Trump definitely rejects a second presidential debate

Former US President Donald Trump has definitely ruled out taking part in a second presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent in the race for the White House.

“There will be no rematch!” the Republican billionaire wrote on his Truth Social platform on October 9, despite offers from CNN and Fox News to broadcast a face-to-face conversation between the two candidates. “Kamala clearly stated yesterday that she would do nothing differently than Joe Biden, so there is nothing to discuss.”

With four weeks remaining until an election that is more uncertain than ever, Americans will not have the opportunity to see the candidates face off a second time, as is usually the case.

“Very late in the process”

Trump gave other reasons for his refusal. The speaker explained: “It is very late in the process, voting has already started.”

He also said that he doesn’t think there is a need for another debate because, in his opinion, he dominated Harris in the Sept. 10 debate. “I won the last two debates, one with Crooked Joe, the other with Lyin’ Kamala,” he claimed. However, according to many observers, it was the Democratic vice president who won the televised duel.

The former prosecutor had managed to corner her rival on the issues that could most hurt his ego – attendance at his rallies, defections from his former political allies, his international reputation – and prevented him from pursuing his vision for to explain the country in more detail.

CNN had given candidates a Thursday deadline to agree to an Oct. 23 debate in Atlanta, Georgia. The conservative broadcaster Fox News had suggested a debate in Pennsylvania for October 24th or 27th.

Donald Trump rejected both offers.

neck and nape

The Oct. 1 debate between Vice Presidents JD Vance and Tim Walz, which was considered fairly close and slightly in favor of the Republican, will remain the last major oral exchange between Republicans and Democrats to lay out their visions for the country.

Trump and Harris remain tied in the polls in key states that will decide the November 5 election.

This despite an unprecedented series of events in the campaign: Trump’s criminal conviction, two assassination attempts aimed at him and incumbent President Biden’s withdrawal of his candidacy this summer, just weeks after a disastrous debate that raised concerns about his health.