Former President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social account Wednesday evening to justify his refusal to engage in any further debates with Vice President Kamala Harris. In an all-caps tirade, Trump rejected Fox News’s invitation for another debate set for the end of October.
“I WON THE LAST TWO DEBATES, ONE WITH CROOKED JOE, THE OTHER WITH LYIN’ KAMALA,” Trump posted. “I ACCEPTED THE FOX NEWS INVITATION TO DEBATE KAMALA ON SEPTEMBER 4TH, BUT SHE TURNED IT DOWN. JD VANCE EASILY WON HIS DEBATE WITH TAMPON TIM WALZ, WHO CALLED HIMSELF A KNUCKLEHEAD! I AM ALSO LEADING IN THE POLLS, WITH THE LEAD GETTING BIGGER BY THE DAY – AND LEADING IN ALL SWING STATES.”
Trump reiterated a familiar point he had made before, arguing that only a losing candidate would ask for multiple debates. “THE FIRST THING A PRIZEFIGHTER DOES WHEN HE LOSES A FIGHT IS SAY THAT HE ‘DEMANDS A REMATCH,'” he wrote. “IT IS VERY LATE IN THE PROCESS, VOTING HAS ALREADY BEGUN – THERE WILL BE NO REMATCH! BESIDES, KAMALA STATED CLEARLY, YESTERDAY, THAT SHE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN JOE BIDEN, SO THERE IS NOTHING TO DEBATE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Despite Trump’s assertions, polling conducted after the previous debate indicated that a majority of viewers saw Harris as the winner. Observers noted that Trump appeared visibly agitated by her criticisms and had to be calmed by moderators after making a false claim about migrants in Ohio eating people’s pets.
Trump’s refusal to debate comes as both candidates continue to vie for support in swing states. His statement suggests that he views another debate as unnecessary, given his perceived lead and Harris’s alignment with President Joe Biden’s policies. However, the decision has sparked criticism from some who argue that further debates are essential for transparency and to provide voters with a clear contrast between the candidates.
As the election approaches, Trump’s social media posts remain a focal point of his campaign strategy, amplifying his message to his base while rejecting further opportunities for direct confrontation with his opponent.