Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted CNN’s invitation to participate in the presidential debate on October 23, just days before the November election.
Hours later, Donald Trump told supporters he would not participate, saying it was “too late.”
The two faced off in the previous debate in Philadelphia on September 10.
CNN said the October debate will follow the same format as the June debate with then-Democratic nominee President Joe Biden, which Trump was largely expected to win.
In a statement Saturday, Harris-Walz campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said Americans “deserve one more chance” to see Harris and Trump debate before the November election.
“It would be unprecedented in modern history to have only one general election debate,” she said. “The debates give voters a unique opportunity to see the candidates side by side and assess their competing visions for America.”
On X, formerly Twitter, Harris said she “happily” accepted the debate invitation and hoped Trump would also participate.
After the September 10 debate, Trump announced there would be no more debates.
Speaking at a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina on Saturday, he claimed victory in the previous debate and said it was “too late” for another debate.
“The voting has already started,” he said, accusing Harris of seeking another round of practice “because she’s losing miserably.”
At the Trump rally, some voters told the BBC they hoped another debate would take place – but only under certain conditions.
“If you’re not afraid, why not? They both do great. [at the last debate]”Trump supporter Steve Castellano said, adding that he thought the debate moderators were “a little biased.”
“They should debate again on a network of Trump’s choosing,” he added. “What I really want is a good podcast host.” [to moderate]. I really want Joe Rogan to do it.”
Harris leads Trump slightly in national polls.
Polls released immediately after the September 10 debate showed that most viewers thought Harris had the better performance.
Since then, most national polls have shown Harris making small gains among voters.
The two candidates traded barbs during the previous debate, with Trump calling Harris a “radical left-wing liberal” and a Marxist who was destroying America.
For her part, Harris has provoked Trump, downplaying the size of his rally crowds and citing his Republican critics.
CBS, the BBC’s news partner in the United States, has also invited both presidential candidates to take part in an October debate in Arizona.
