Donald Trump, Kamala Harris set to face off in debate

The eagerly awaited first debate between Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic opponent Kamala Harris is scheduled for September 10 and will be broadcast on ABC. This debate kicks off a series of direct encounters between the two contenders in a closely contested race, with polls showing a tight competition.

Ahead of the debate, Trump has requested two additional debate dates—September 4 and September 25—proposing that they be aired on Fox and NBC. Harris, in contrast, expressed enthusiasm for the September 10 debate on X, noting that Trump had “finally committed” to participating. The debate series is anticipated to be a key platform for both candidates to discuss issues and influence voters.

After a campaign stop in the Detroit area, Harris indicated openness to more debates, but a campaign official reiterated their position that a September 4 debate on Fox is not feasible, according to Reuters. Future discussions about additional debates depend on Trump’s participation in the September 10 ABC debate.

The Harris campaign had previously opposed a Fox debate, arguing that the host network should have sponsored recent primary debates by both parties. Trump had hinted he might withdraw from the ABC debate, which was initially planned as the second of two debates agreed upon between Biden and Trump after their June 27 debate on CNN.

An Ipsos poll released Thursday shows Harris has increased her lead over Trump since late July, now leading 42% to 37%, compared to a July 22-23 Reuters/Ipsos survey where she led 37% to 34%.

Thursday’s Palm Beach news conference was Trump’s first public appearance since Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday. Harris and Walz have been rallying in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, drawing large crowds and demonstrating the energizing effect of Harris’s late entry into the race.