Former President Donald Trump announced Wednesday, October 9, that he will not participate in a second presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, despite invitations from major networks and calls from the Harris campaign. The decision comes as the two candidates face off in a closely contested race ahead of the Nov. 5 election.
Trump and Harris engaged in their first debate on September 10, drawing over 67 million viewers. The event highlighted sharp differences on issues such as the economy, abortion rights, and immigration policy.
Since then, Harris has pushed for a rematch, accepting an invitation from CNN to debate on October 23 in Atlanta, Georgia. Fox News also extended offers for debates on October 24 or 27.
Trump, however, has dismissed these proposals. “There will be no rematch,” he declared on his social media platform, Truth Social. “So there is nothing to debate.” He argued that it is too late in the election cycle for another debate, noting that early voting has already started in several states.
The Harris campaign criticized Trump’s refusal, suggesting he is avoiding facing voters directly. “Vice President Harris will be in Atlanta on October 23,” her campaign stated. “We hope former President Trump will join her to give the American people the opportunity to hear from both candidates.”
Polls indicate a tight race between the two candidates. An NBC News poll shows both Trump and Harris tied at 48% support among registered voters. The poll reveals significant gender gaps, with women favoring Harris by 14 points and men supporting Trump by 16 points.
In battleground states, the competition is particularly fierce. The BBC reports that while Harris leads in some key states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, the margins are slim, and the Electoral College could swing either way. Voter turnout and late shifts in voter sentiment are expected to be decisive factors.
Both campaigns are focusing on critical issues to sway undecided voters. The economy remains a top concern, with Harris criticizing Trump’s policies as favoring the wealthy and promising to bolster the middle class. Trump defends his economic record, emphasizing low inflation during his presidency and asserting that his tariffs protected American jobs.
Abortion rights have also emerged as a pivotal issue. Harris has pledged to reinstate the protections of Roe v. Wade, gaining a 19-point lead over Trump on this topic according to the NBC News poll. Trump denies supporting a national abortion ban, stating that the matter should be left to the states.
The reluctance to participate in a second debate marks a departure from previous election cycles. In 2020, Trump debated Democratic nominee Joe Biden multiple times. This year, after Biden withdrew from the race following a poor debate performance against Trump in June, Harris stepped in as the Democratic candidate. Her entry has tightened the race, with some polls showing her leading by narrow margins.
While Trump has expressed confidence in his current standing, stating he is “leading big in the polls,” the CBS News poll highlights that the electorate is deeply divided. Voters for each candidate hold vastly different views on key issues and express differing levels of trust in the electoral system.
As the campaigns enter the final weeks before Election Day, the absence of a second debate means voters will rely on campaign events, advertisements, and media coverage to inform their decisions. Both candidates are expected to intensify their efforts in swing states, aiming to mobilize supporters and capture the undecided electorate.