U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Democratic opponent Kamala Harris will face off in their first debate on September 10, airing on ABC. The matchup comes as polls indicate a tight race between the two contenders.
Key Points
- Debate Schedule
- The initial debate between Trump and Harris is set for September 10 on ABC. This will be the first direct confrontation between the two candidates.
- Trump has expressed interest in additional debates on September 4 and September 25, suggesting that these could be held on Fox and NBC.
- Campaign Reactions
- Kamala Harris welcomed the upcoming debate, noting that Trump’s participation is a step forward. She also expressed willingness to discuss additional debates but confirmed that the Harris campaign has rejected the proposed September 4 debate on Fox. The campaign prefers a network that hosted recent primary debates for both parties.
- Trump’s Stance
- Trump had previously hinted at the possibility of not participating in the ABC debate. This debate was originally agreed upon between Trump and President Joe Biden. However, with Biden recently replaced by Harris as the Democratic candidate, the debate plan was adapted.
- Polls and Impact
- Recent Ipsos polling shows Harris leading Trump 42% to 37%, an increase from her previous 37% to 34% lead. This shift reflects recent changes in the race dynamics following Biden’s replacement by Harris.
Background
- Debate Context
- The debate on September 10 will be crucial as both candidates seek to sway undecided voters. The proposed additional debates are seen as a way for Trump to further engage with voters and challenge Harris on various issues.
- Future Negotiations
- The Harris campaign’s stance on the additional debates will largely depend on the outcome of the September 10 debate. The official position is that any future debates should be hosted by networks that have recently sponsored primary debates.