Topline
Fox News offered Wednesday to host a debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in September, after Trump reportedly said Tuesday the debate terms he agreed to with President Joe Biden—which included a September debate on ABC—don’t apply to debates with Harris.
President Joe Biden steps off of Air Force One as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on … [+]
Key Facts
Fox News Media sent letters to both campaigns suggesting a debate in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Sept. 17, hosted by Bret Baier and Martha MacCullum.
The network said in the letters it is open to amending the date and location and is willing to discuss the format of the debate with the campaigns, including whether to allow a live studio audience.
The offer comes after Trump on Sunday said he wanted the network to host the next face-off, instead of ABC News, which was slated to host a Sept. 10 debate between Biden and Trump, a plan made before Biden dropped out of the race.
Trump also reportedly said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters he would be willing to debate Harris more than once.
The Trump and Harris campaigns have yet to respond to Fox’s offer, the network said.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Tangent
Trump and Biden agreed in May to two debates, the first hosted by CNN, and the second by ABC News. The agreement unfolded within a matter of hours after Biden officially challenged Trump to debates following months of prodding by Trump. The campaigns agreed that the debate hosts must have hosted previous Democratic and Republican primary debates in which both Trump and Biden participated. Fox did not host a Democratic primary debate in 2020 (when Harris also ran for president), but the network noted in its Wednesday proposal to the campaigns it hosted town halls with Democratic candidates, not including Harris, in 2016 and 2020.
Key Background
Backlash surrounding Biden’s disastrous performance in his June 27 debate with Trump on CNN ultimately led him to drop his reelection bid Sunday and endorse Harris as his replacement. By Monday, the majority of Democratic delegates had announced plans to support her, making it all but certain she officially becomes the nominee when the party votes in August to formalize its candidate.
Further Reading
Biden Loses Train Of Thought And Corrects Himself Repeatedly In Debate With Trump (Forbes)
Trump Says He Will Debate Harris, Maybe More Than Once (Forbes)
Trump Accepts Biden’s Challenge To Debate Twice—Starting Next Month (Forbes)
2022 midterms, 2024 presidential campaign, the January 6 House committee investigation, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster, the 2023 State of the Union Address, former President Donald Trump’s federal election interference and classified documents cases and his Manhattan hush money case. Dorn graduated in 2012 from the University of Dayton with a degree in journalism. Prior to joining Forbes, she covered New York City and state politics for the New York Post and City and State magazine. Follow her for updates and analysis on the 2024 presidential race, key Senate and House races and developments in Congress and at the White House.
“>
