(The Hill) — The Trump campaign said Thursday it would not agree to a general election debate with Vice President Harris "until Democrats formally decide on their nominee" after Harris said she was ready to debate the former president.
"Given the continued political chaos surrounding Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrat Party, general election debate details cannot be finalized until Democrats formally decide on their nominee," Trump communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement.
Cheung claimed there "is a strong sense by many in the Democrat Party ... that Kamala Harris is a Marxist fraud who cannot beat President Trump, and they are still holding out for someone 'better,'" citing former President Obama's lack of endorsement to date, though Obama is expected to back Harris publicly soon.
"Therefore, it would be inappropriate to schedule things with Harris because Democrats very well could still change their minds," Cheung said.
Trump and President Biden agreed to two debates, one on June 27 and the other on Sept. 10. Biden's disastrous performance in the June debate sparked calls from Democrats for him to step aside as the nominee, which he did on Sunday in the face of mounting pressure.
Harris has secured the support of enough delegates to be the likely nominee for Democrats. The Democratic convention will take place Aug. 19-22 in Chicago.
Harris said earlier Thursday she’s “ready to go” for a debate with former President Trump and needled her likely GOP rival after he has suggested he may not want to participate in an event hosted by ABC News, as previously planned.
“I have agreed to the previously agreed upon Sept. 10 debate. He agreed to that previously,” Harris said. “Now, here he is backpedaling, and I’m ready, and I think the voters deserve to see the split screen that exists in this race on a debate stage, and so I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Trump told reporters Tuesday he would “absolutely” debate Harris — the likely Democratic nominee after Biden stepped aside — at least once before Election Day.
But he blasted ABC News, the planned host for the scheduled Sept. 10 presidential debate.
“I agreed to a debate with Joe Biden. But I want to debate her,” he said. “They have the same policies. I think debating is important for a presidential race.”
