NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump appears to be backing away from his earlier dedication to debate Vice President Kamala Harris, questioning the worth of a meetup and saying he “most likely” will debate however he “can even make a case for not doing it” — prompting her marketing campaign to say he’s “scared.”
Trump, in an interview with Fox Information Channel that aired Monday night time, was pressed a number of occasions about committing to debating Harris earlier than giving a squishier reply than he had in latest days.
The Republican former president had been keen to debate President Joe Biden when Biden was the Democratic nominee after months of suggesting that the president was not mentally up for the matchup — or the presidency. However after Biden dropped out of the race and Harris turned poised to be the Democratic presidential candidate, Trump has been questioning the phrases of the unique debate he agreed to with Biden. He has urged the Sept. 10 debate on ABC Information must be moved to a unique community, calling ABC “pretend information.”
Final week, in a cellphone name with reporters, Trump was requested if he’d decide to debating Harris at the very least as soon as. He responded: “Oh, sure, completely. I’d wish to,” and he mentioned there was an obligation to debate.
Within the interview Monday, host Laura Ingraham repeatedly pressed Trump on whether or not he would decide to a debate.
“I wish to do a debate. However I can also say this. All people is aware of who I’m. And now individuals know who she is,” Trump mentioned.
Trump finally mentioned, “The reply is sure, I’ll most likely find yourself debating.”
He went on for a minute, saying any debates must be held earlier than early voting begins in states, after which he added, “The reply is sure, however I can even make a case for not doing it.”
Trump has skipped debates earlier than, together with all of the 2024 Republican presidential main debates. He initially didn’t take part after suggesting the timing was too early after which questioning the venue of one other earlier than finally making it clear he wouldn’t take part in any of these debates.
Harris marketing campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa accused Trump of continuous to dodge a face-off along with his probably opponent.
“It’s clear from tonight’s question-dodging: He’s scared he’ll must defend his working mate’s bizarre assaults on ladies or his personal calls to finish elections in America in a debate towards the vice chairman,” Moussa mentioned.
The Republican candidate additionally sought within the interview Monday to make clear feedback he made final week at a conservative occasion during which he instructed an viewers of Christians that they “received’t must vote anymore” after he’s elected.
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He urged Christians, who he claims don’t vote in excessive numbers, to vote “simply this time,” and mentioned, “You received’t must do it anymore.”
In 4 years, he mentioned: “It’ll be mounted, it’ll be positive. You received’t must vote anymore, my lovely Christians.”
He added moments later: “In 4 years, you don’t must vote once more. We’ll have it mounted so good, you’re not gonna must vote.”
The feedback drew alarm from Democrats and others who famous Trump’s sample of utilizing authoritarian language, his earlier feedback that he would solely be a dictator on “day one” and his habits after dropping the 2020 presidential election, during which he refused to simply accept the outcomes and sought to overturn them.
Trump’s marketing campaign and supporters provided varied explanations for his feedback, and Ingraham prodded him to elucidate what he meant.
“They don’t vote, and I’m explaining that to ‘em. ‘You by no means vote.’ This time, vote. I’ll straighten out the nation. You received’t must vote anymore. I received’t want your vote,” Trump mentioned.
Ingraham requested if he meant Christians received’t have to vote for him as a result of he’ll solely have 4 years in workplace.
Trump began his reply by talking about voting charges of Christians and gun house owners, and Ingraham interrupted to ask him once more.
“Don’t fear concerning the future. Vote, on, it’s important to vote on November fifth. After that, you don’t have to fret about voting anymore. I don’t care as a result of we’re going to repair up — the nation will likely be mounted and we received’t even want your vote anymore as a result of, frankly, we could have such love. For those who don’t wish to vote anymore, that’s OK,” Trump mentioned.
Trump made comparable feedback final month at one other Christian-focused occasion, during which he lamented the voting charges of Christians and implored them to take part within the election.
“In 4 years, you don’t must vote, OK? In 4 years, don’t vote. I don’t care,” he mentioned.
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Related Press author Adriana Gomez Licón in West Palm Seaside, Fla., contributed to this report.
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