Former President Donald Trump on Saturday refused a second debate against Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the November 5 presidential election, dismissing the proposal as “too late” due to early voting already being underway in several states. This announcement came after Harris’s campaign indicated that she had accepted an invitation from CNN for a debate scheduled for October 23. It would have marked the second face-off between the two candidates after their initial debate on September 10, which Harris was widely viewed as having won.
“The American people deserve another opportunity to see Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump debate before they cast their ballots,” said Jen O’Malley Dillon, Harris’s campaign chair, in a statement. Despite the call for more discussion, Trump, during a rally in North Carolina, reiterated that while he enjoyed debating for its “entertainment value,” it was now impractical due to early voting already taking place.
“It’s just too late, voting has already started,” Trump said, addressing a crowd in Wilmington. He acknowledged that CNN had treated him fairly during his June debate with President Joe Biden but expressed doubts about whether they would be fair in a second debate with Harris.
Trump’s refusal to debate before the election further highlights the contentious nature of the race. The 78-year-old former president, now the oldest-ever presidential nominee, is running against the younger and more vigorous 59-year-old Harris. The vice president, who replaced Biden on the Democratic ticket after his faltering debate performance against Trump, has been a key figure in her party’s campaign, particularly focusing on engaging young and African American voters.
Early Voting and the Election’s Critical Importance
With early voting underway in multiple battleground states, including North Carolina, the stakes for both candidates are high. Harris’s campaign has focused on flipping these swing states, and she has leaned into her support from key demographics, particularly African Americans and young voters. North Carolina, a state Trump won in 2020, is crucial in determining the outcome of the race. The competition remains fierce, with polling data indicating a close contest between the two candidates.
Trump’s rally in Wilmington drew significant attention, particularly as it was his first public appearance following another attempt on his life. A gunman was discovered at one of Trump’s golf courses in Florida, where security agents intervened to prevent any harm. This incident followed a previous assassination attempt in July, when Trump was grazed by a bullet during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has since admitted to “deficiencies” in its security protocols.
Trump’s Hardline Rhetoric and Mars Promise
At the Wilmington rally, Trump doubled down on his hardline anti-immigrant stance, continuing to make inflammatory and unverified claims about migrants. He falsely stated that migrants were “attacking villages and cities all throughout the Midwest,” reinforcing the controversial rhetoric that has marked much of his campaign.
Beyond domestic policy, Trump also made an ambitious promise to the enthusiastic crowd, stating that the United States would “reach Mars before the end of my term.” His bold declaration received widespread applause, showcasing his ongoing appeal to voters who are drawn to his larger-than-life proposals and combative approach to governance.
Scandal in North Carolina and Trump’s Endorsements
Trump’s campaign faces a new challenge in North Carolina after a damaging report emerged about Mark Robinson, the Republican candidate for governor and a key Trump ally. A CNN investigation revealed that Robinson had made incendiary comments, referring to himself as a “Black Nazi” and making other offensive remarks on a porn website message board more than a decade ago. Robinson has since denounced the report as “salacious tabloid lies,” but the controversy could hinder Republican efforts in the critical state.
Uncertainty Surrounds Election Outcome
With the election just weeks away and early voting already underway, both candidates are vying for every vote. Trump’s refusal to engage in a second debate underscores the high stakes of the election and his strategy of energizing his base through rallies and speeches rather than traditional debates. The former president has also refused to commit to accepting the election results if he loses, mirroring his controversial stance following the 2020 election. Trump is currently facing criminal charges for his alleged involvement in attempting to overturn the 2020 election, which culminated in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.
As early voting continues, the race between Trump and Harris remains fiercely contested, with both campaigns focused on securing every possible vote in what promises to be a pivotal election.
