Harris Scrambles for Second Debate After Rejecting Trump’s Offer

In a last-ditch effort to salvage her floundering campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris is now pushing for a second debate against Donald Trump despite having previously rejected multiple debate offers from the former president. Harris’ campaign announced over the weekend that she’s accepted an invitation from CNN for an October 23 debate, insisting that voters deserve another chance to see the two candidates face off before Election Day.

“It would be unprecedented in modern history for there to just be one general election debate,” Harris' team declared in a statement, eager to draw Trump back to the stage. But Trump, who has already done two debates, isn’t having it. He dismissed the request at a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, saying it’s too late for another round.

“She’s done one debate. I’ve done two. It’s too late to do another. I’d love to, in many ways, but it’s too late. The voting is cast,” Trump said, taking aim at Harris for her inconsistent debate strategy. “She’s had her chance to do it with Fox. You know, Fox invited us on, and I waited and waited, and they turned it down. Now, she wants a debate right before the election with CNN because she’s losing badly.”

Harris and Trump first squared off earlier this month in an ABC News debate that critics widely panned for its obvious bias against Trump. Despite the poor reviews, Harris is now clinging to the hope that another CNN debate will help her reverse her declining poll numbers as Election Day nears.

• Missed Opportunities: Harris had previously turned down a Fox News debate scheduled for September 4 and didn’t respond to an NBC News offer for a September 25 event. Trump, meanwhile, agreed to both debates, further showcasing Harris’ evasive strategy.

• The ‘Home Game’ Advantage: Critics are calling out Harris’ preference for left-leaning media platforms. Dan McLaughlin from National Review noted the pattern, asking, “Why CNN twice but no Fox? Since when does one side get all home games?” He added, “The side that wants more debates is usually the side that’s losing.”

• Internal Panic: Many see Harris’ push for a new debate as a sign of desperation. Laura Ingraham from Fox News called it “a sign of weakness, not strength.” Republican strategist Matt Whitlock echoed the sentiment, pointing out Harris' refusal to acknowledge Fox’s debate invitation despite Trump’s willingness to engage on more neutral ground.

Trump’s refusal to accommodate Harris’ last-minute plea underscores the momentum shift that has occurred in this election cycle. While Harris may have felt confident in rejecting prior debates, her declining poll numbers and weak public performance have forced her campaign to backpedal. Harris, leading by just two points in the latest polling, is already feeling the heat as Trump consolidates support among key voting blocs.

In fact, Trump’s debate performance against President Joe Biden in June was so disastrous for the then-president that Biden was effectively ousted from the race by his own party, opening the door for Harris to take the reins. However, as Election Day nears, it’s becoming clear that Harris is struggling to maintain her lead — and her latest plea for a CNN debate may be too little, too late.

With the election just weeks away, Trump is showing no signs of slowing down, while Harris' attempts to stage a media comeback are falling flat. Her sudden interest in more debates comes off as a desperate attempt to regain footing, but as Trump pointed out, the clock is ticking.

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