Kamala Calls for Second Debate After ABC Moderators Target Trump in First

After a heated first debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, the vice president wasted no time in calling for a rematch. The initial debate, held on ABC News, drew heavy criticism from conservatives who accused the moderators of going easy on Harris while targeting Trump with fact-checks and interruptions.

Kamala Harris’ campaign quickly seized the opportunity to push for another debate, with her campaign chair, Jen O’Malley, stating, “The American people got to see the choice they will face this fall at the ballot box: between moving forward with Kamala Harris or going backwards with Trump.” O’Malley further added that Harris was ready for round two, directly challenging Trump to agree to another debate. “Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?”

Trump, never one to back down from a challenge, had a strong response on Fox News, where he declared that Harris wanted a second debate “because she lost.” Trump went on to say that he would consider a rematch, but only if it was hosted on a “fair network.” Given how the ABC moderators—David Muir and Linsey Davis handled the first debate, it’s no surprise Trump wants the next one to be more balanced.

Here’s what we know so far:

• Moderators slammed for bias: During the debate, Muir and Davis repeatedly pressed Trump on his statements, while Harris was let off the hook on numerous issues, including border security and the economy.

• Trump’s debate challenge: Trump had previously suggested three debates—one on ABC, one on Fox News, and another on NBC. The Fox News event was turned into a town hall with Trump and host Sean Hannity.

• Harris’ reluctance to debate: Harris’ campaign initially indicated they would only consider a second debate if Trump attended the first ABC showdown, and so far, they’ve avoided committing to any debates on conservative-friendly networks like Fox News.

Trump and Harris went head-to-head on a number of issues, including abortion, border security, and national defense, but the debate’s moderators clearly had a target on Trump’s back. Despite the moderators’ attempts to paint him in a bad light, Trump stayed on message, calling Harris “barely competent” and questioning her readiness for the presidency. Harris, in contrast, largely sidestepped direct confrontation with Trump, relying instead on the moderators to handle her dirty work.

This wasn’t the first time Trump has faced media bias in a debate setting. Earlier this year, he debated President Joe Biden in a CNN-hosted event. That disastrous performance by Biden led to increased pressure on the incumbent president, eventually forcing him to step down and allow Harris to take the Democratic Party’s top spot for the 2024 ticket. The biased media coverage is only further proof of how the Democrats rely on friendly outlets to carry their weak candidates.

Looking ahead, Harris and Trump are likely to face off again, with both campaigns weighing options for a second debate in October. Harris’ campaign is pushing for another round, though they’ve been careful to avoid venues where Trump might have the upper hand. Notably, Harris has rejected an offer from her Republican counterpart Sen. JD Vance for a second vice presidential debate on CNN.

While the Democrats keep trying to prop up Harris with friendly moderators and biased networks, Trump remains confident and ready to take on all challengers—no matter how stacked the deck is against him. The American people deserve to see a fair and balanced debate, and Trump’s willingness to participate under those conditions speaks to his confidence and readiness to lead.

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