By Luis De Jesus
04 Aug 2024, 21:42 PM EDT
US Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump were embroiled in a dispute on Saturday over the details of an upcoming presidential debate.
The controversy comes after the Republican candidate proposed significant changes to the date, television network and moderators of the previously agreed-upon event.
Originally, Harris and Trump had agreed to a second debate on the network ABC for September 9, although the specific location had not yet been defined.
However, Trump announced on Friday night his desire to move the debate to September 4 in Fox News, held in Pennsylvania and with public participation, moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, journalists from the conservative network.
Harris’ reaction was not long in coming and she expressed her disapproval on social media, accusing Trump of changing the previously agreed conditions.
“It’s funny how ‘any time, any place’ has become ‘a specific time, a specific place,’” Harris said.
The vice president reaffirmed her commitment to attend the debate on ABC on September 10, one day after the date proposed by Trump.
It’s interesting how “any time, any place” becomes “one specific time, one specific safe space.”
I’ll be there on September 10th, like I have agreed to. I hope to see him there. https://t.co/zqng89X8QD
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 3, 2024
Michael Tyler, communications director for Kamala Harris’ campaign, criticized Donald Trump’s proposal and argued that the former president is trying to avoid the agreed-upon debate and seek refuge in Fox News.
Tyler indicated that Democrats are willing to discuss further debates, but only after the initially agreed-upon debate takes place.
In a series of social media posts, Trump disparaged Harris and reaffirmed his firm stance.
Trump accused Harris of not being mentally prepared to debate him and accused her of having a “low IQ.” He also claimed that the vice president is “scared” and reiterated his demand to hold the debate on September 4 in Fox News or else cancel it completely.
The rivalry between the two candidates has escalated in recent weeks, with Trump launching personal attacks against Harris while she continues to consolidate her Democratic candidacy, Efe reports.
The presidential campaign will enter a more intense phase in the coming days, especially with Harris’ upcoming public appearance alongside her vice presidential candidate, whose identity has not yet been revealed.
Meanwhile, Trump came to the defense of his running mate JD Vance during a rally in Georgia, where he praised his work and criticized those who questioned his popularity. Meanwhile, Democrats took advantage of Vance’s birthday to launch sarcastic criticisms against him, intensifying political tension ahead of the elections.
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