Trump, Harris agree to presidential debate

ABC News has announced that it will host the first debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on September 10.

The network confirmed the matchup in a post on X, formerly Twitter, after Trump said Thursday he would be willing to debate his Democratic rival multiple times before the November election.

“We think we should have three debates,” Trump said, suggesting two additional debates that he said would be hosted by Fox News and NBC, respectively.

Ms Harris confirmed she would attend the ABC debate at an event in Michigan on Thursday, and later said she would be open to additional debates.

The network said the debate will be moderated by World News Tonight anchor and editor David Muir and ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis.

“I’m looking forward to debating Donald Trump and we’ve set a date for September 10th. I heard he’s finally committed to it and I’m looking forward to it,” Harris said at the Detroit event.

Trump, the Republican nominee, debated President Joe Biden once in June.

The two men were due to run again on September 10, but Mr Biden withdrew from the US presidential race after a disastrous performance against Trump in the televised matchup.

The confirmation of the ABC debate marks the end of a back-and-forth that followed Mr. Biden’s decision to drop out of the race between the two campaigns because of the planned showdown.

Trump had previously said he wanted a debate hosted by the conservative Fox News network, saying it would take place in Pennsylvania, “at a site in an area to be determined.”

Harris’ campaign has said she still wants to debate Trump on September 10.

At a news conference Thursday at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump also said he would like to debate Ms. Harris two more times — Sept. 4 on Fox News and Sept. 25 on NBC.

Trump said CBS would host a debate between the two vice presidential candidates, Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz.

NBC News is reportedly in talks with both campaigns about a possible debate this fall, The New York Times reported.

Fox News said it sent formal letters to both campaigns last month proposing a September debate in Pennsylvania, though the Harris campaign said Thursday that “Trump must show up” at the ABC debate before confirming other matchups.

At his press conference, Trump criticized Harris for not holding a press conference or giving an interview since becoming the likely Democratic nominee just over two weeks ago.

He called her “not very competent” and criticized her intelligence.

Later Thursday, Harris spoke to reporters on the tarmac before leaving her campaign event in Michigan and said she had asked her team to “schedule an interview” before the end of the month.

At his news conference, Trump took questions for about an hour – an event that came as reports indicate his campaign is under pressure from Democrats, who have newfound enthusiasm under Ms Harris and are dominating the news.

National and key state polls suggest his campaign has gained ground in recent days, even as the race for the White House remains tight.

The former president has denied that he has “recalibrated” his campaign to challenge Ms Harris rather than Mr Biden, and he appeared to grow angry when asked about the audience Ms Harris draws to rallies.

“Oh, leave me alone,” he said, arguing that the crowds at his rallies were larger than hers.

His news conference Thursday is his first in months, as his campaign has so far focused on organizing rallies across the country.

Trump also praised his running mate Mr Vance, who was recently criticized for comments he made in 2021 when he said that those without children should not run the country and that women without children are “miserable” and “cat ladies without children”.

“I have to tell you, J.D. Vance has really stepped up,” Trump said. “He’s doing a fantastic job.”

He took aim at Ms Harris’ record on immigration and the economy.

He reiterated his belief that U.S. presidents should have a say on interest rates and monetary policy – a break with the long-standing practice of having the independent U.S. Federal Reserve oversee such matters.

He stressed his priorities of reducing inflation, cutting crime rates and strengthening the military.

Harris spoke to the United Auto Workers in Detroit on Thursday and thanked the union for supporting her.

She said there were “89 days to get this done” before the election.