Former President Donald Trump has ruled out a third presidential debate, suggesting that Vice President Kamala Harris is seeking a rematch due to her poor performance in their recent encounter. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, citing polls that indicate he won the debate.
Trump likened Harris’s call for another debate to a prizefighter seeking a rematch after a loss. He claimed that Harris and President Joe Biden have mismanaged the country, allowing unvetted immigrants to enter and causing inflation to skyrocket.
Trump also criticized Harris for her absence from previous debates and her failure to address key issues during their encounter. He argued that she should focus on her past actions rather than seeking another debate.
The recent debate saw Harris make several false claims, which went unchallenged by the moderators. In contrast, Trump’s statements were fact-checked, with one moderator even correcting a joke he had made.
Despite the moderators’ perceived bias, a Reuters focus group found that undecided voters now favor Trump by a 2-to-1 margin. A New York Times survey of undecided voters yielded similar results.
Harris struggled to articulate her stance on key issues, including fracking and gun control. She also declined to answer whether she would permit abortion at nine months.
Author and journalist Mike Cernovich noted that Harris’s performance was weak, particularly on issues relevant to Pennsylvania voters. He argued that there is no need for another debate, as Harris has already shown her weaknesses.
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, echoed Cernovich’s sentiments, stating that a winning campaign would not request another debate immediately after the first. Kirk suggested that Harris’s team is trying to create the illusion of momentum despite their internal polling numbers.
