Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to debate Vice President Kamala Harris, despite previously withdrawing from the event, during a lengthy news conference held at his Palm Beach, Florida estate. Trump mocked Harris and defended his actions leading up to the January 6, 2021 events, while expressing skepticism about her campaign’s appeal.
At this press conference, Trump revealed that he and Harris have agreed to participate in a debate on September 10. This faceoff is set against the backdrop of a turbulent electoral landscape. Just days before, Trump had stated he wouldn’t be debating on ABC and claimed his agreement with the network was “terminated.” However, he reversed his decision, advocating for additional debates on Fox and NBC.
When asked about the possibility of having only one debate on ABC, Trump indicated uncertainty: “I don’t know how that’s gonna work out. We’d like to do three debates.” Harris quickly responded, saying she was “glad” Trump had committed to the ABC debate, which had been long established as part of her campaign strategy.
This event marked Trump’s first public appearance after Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, whom Trump labeled a “radical left man.” He expressed doubt over Harris’s intellect, contrasting her silence at news conferences with his own, and dismissed questions regarding her rising popularity.
As Trump faced questions, he acknowledged shifts in his support, particularly among Black women, while expressing confidence in his appeal to Black men. He noted the Democratic base’s current enthusiasm but maintained that fundamental issues affecting voters, particularly the economy, would work to his advantage in the long run.
On the subject of abortion, Trump claimed it was not a significant concern in the upcoming election, despite its contentious history. He stated that the topic has lost prominence since the Supreme Court’s decision to return abortion regulation to the states. However, he recognized that this issue has previously hurt Republicans in elections.
In another assertion during the conference, Trump made false claims regarding the January 6 Capitol riot, stating “nobody was killed” and downplaying the events surrounding it. He also claimed that more people attended his rally on that day than the historic March on Washington, a statement lacking factual support.
Trump responded to President Biden’s doubts about a peaceful transition of power should he lose, insisting that there was indeed a peaceful transition following the 2020 election despite the chaos that ensued at the Capitol.