Donald Trump has been widely mocked after his campaign team said he would not commit to appearing at the next presidential debate until the “political chaos” surrounding the Democratic Party’s nomination process was over.
A number of Trump critics have accused the former president of being “scared” to face off against Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive 2024 Democratic nominee, at the already scheduled ABC News–hosted presidential debate on September 10.
Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director, said in a statement that it would be “inappropriate to schedule things with Harris because Democrats very well could still change their minds” about whom they confirm as their nominee.
On Thursday, Harris herself criticized Trump for appearing to back away from the September 10 debate, writing on social media, “What happened to ‘any time, any place’?”
Harry Sisson, who was previously part of a Biden administration initiative to promote the president’s 2024 campaign on social media, wrote: “Trump just BACKED OUT of the debate with Kamala Harris. He is absolutely TERRIFIED of getting on a stage with her. Scared Donald keeps running away!”
On June 27, Trump and President Joe Biden met for a CNN-hosted debate that eventually led to the president ending his 2024 campaign and endorsing Harris for the Democratic nomination. Harris, who has not faced any serious challengers, has managed to secure enough support from delegates to clinch the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.
Though Harris is almost certain to be named her party’s nominee, Cheung said in the statement, “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.”
He continued: “There is a strong sense by many in the Democrat Party—namely Barack Hussein Obama—that Kamala Harris is a Marxist fraud who cannot beat President Trump, and they are still holding out for someone ‘better.'” However, Obama has endorsed Harris.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins commented on Cheung’s statement, writing, “The Trump campaign is now saying debates can’t be scheduled until the Democratic nominee is official, even though Biden was not ‘officially’ the Dem nominee at the last debate.”
Josh Marshall, the founder of the liberal news network Talking Points Memo, wrote: “OH DEAR! Trump doubling down on chickening out of future debates. Now blaming it on ‘chaos’ on the Democratic ticket for why he won’t debate.
“Trying to get out of the September debate right out of the gate really helped coalesce the sense that the switch really knocked the wind out of Trump and his campaign. This won’t help change that.”
Ron Filipkowski, a former federal prosecutor and frequent Trump critic, added: “Let’s face it, Trump backed out of this debate because he is afraid of a powerful, intelligent woman of color humiliating him in front of the whole world and laughing in his face while doing so. That’s why he won’t debate.”
When contacted for comment by Newsweek, Cheung referred to his post in reply to Harris’ “any time” remark.
“How many delegates do you officially have? Zero. How many people voted for you in the 2024 primary? Zero,” Cheung wrote.
Barry Gadbois was among those who suggested Trump was “correct” not to agree to a debate.
“I think #Trump strategy on debates is correct. Dems could easily still pull the rug out from under Harris. If she’s too burdened by the incompetence that was, they have time to nominate someone else. Schedule debates when they finally end their dog and pony show,” Gadbois wrote.
Trump has previously said he would be open to debating Harris, but that the event should be hosted by Fox News rather than “very biased ABC.”
Harris told reporters on Thursday that she was ready to debate Trump.
“I have agreed to the previously agreed upon September 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.” (Newsweek)
