In September, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump declared that he would be open to taking part in three debates against Democratic opponent Kamala Harris.
During a press conference on Thursday at his Palm Beach home, Trump proposed that the debates be broadcast on three distinct networks: ABC on September 25, NBC on September 10, and Fox on September 4.
It is still unknown whether Harris’ campaign has received a formal proposal, even though he did not specify any details about the debate, such as the requirement for an audience.
Trump is making his first public appearance since US Vice President Kamala Harris announced that Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota would be her running mate. The Democratic base has been rapidly invigorated by Harris and Walz, who have drawn sizable crowds in Michigan and Wisconsin, two critical battleground states.
Her rapid rise follows President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race, which has forced the Trump campaign to reassess its strategy, as recent polls indicate Harris has closed the gap Trump previously held over Biden.
As the campaigns intensify, Harris and Walz were scheduled to meet with auto workers in Detroit, reflecting the United Auto Workers union’s endorsement of their ticket. However, their events in North Carolina and Georgia were cancelled due to Tropical Storm Debby, with plans to visit Arizona and Nevada later in the week.
Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, also cancelled events in North Carolina due to the storm, while continuing to shadow the Harris-Walz campaign trail in an effort to provide a “contrast” to the Democratic ticket.
As the 5 November election approaches, both campaigns are ramping up efforts to secure key swing states.