Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harriswill debate on September 10 on the channel ABCthe broadcaster confirmed Thursday, in the first head-to-head of what polls show as an extremely close race.
In a rambling news conference at his Palm Beach, Florida, home, Trump said he wanted additional debates on Sept. 4 and 25, to be aired on Fox and NBC. He did not elaborate on specific terms, such as whether there would be an audience, and his campaign later clarified that it had confused which network was hosting the debate.
Harris’ campaign had no comment. At a campaign event in Detroit, Harris said she was looking forward to the Sept. 10 debate, an NBC reporter reported on X.
Trump had previously suggested he might withdraw from the ABC debate, which was scheduled before Harris, the US vice president, replaced President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee less than three weeks ago, upending the race.
An Ipsos poll released on Thursday showed Harris had widened her lead over Trump since late July. The Democrat leads the Republican nominee by 42% to 37%, compared with a Reuters/Ipsos poll from July 22-23 that showed her leading Trump 37% to 34%.
The conference was Trump’s first public appearance since Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday.
Harris, the US vice president, and Walz headlined rallies in the battleground states of Michigan and Wisconsin on Wednesday, drawing tens of thousands of attendees in a further sign of how their late entry into the race has rallied Democrats.
Her rapid rise, following President Joe Biden’s decision last month to abandon his faltering campaign, has forced the Trump team to recalibrate its strategy and messaging.
Harris’ campaign canceled events Thursday in North Carolina and Friday in Georgia, where Tropical Storm Debby is bringing heavy rain and dangerous flooding.
Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, also canceled campaign events in North Carolina on Thursday because of the storm.
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channels YouTube, WhatsApp and the newsletter. Activate notifications and follow us on Facebook, X e Instagram.
