Trump rejects second Harris debate

Former President Donald Trump wrote on social media Thursday that he would not debate Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris a second time. His comments came after Harris campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon called for a second debate right after the first showdown Tuesday night. When a prizefighter loses a match, they immediately call for a rematch, Trump wrote Thursday. There will be no third debate, he added in all capitals. The decision represents a shift from his earlier statements. Less than an hour after the debate, Trump visited reporters in the spin room at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and told them that he “wouldn’t mind” a third debate. Kamala wants another debate because she got beaten, Trump added.

How has Harris responded? The vice president responded an hour later and said candidates owed it to the voters to have a rematch. As of publishing, the last debate scheduled before election day will take place on Oct. 1 between the vice presidential candidates, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio.

Dig deeper: Read my report on the Tuesday debate between Trump and Harris.