(NEXSTAR) – More than 67 million people tuned in to watch former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris debate last month in what may end up being the first and last showdown between the two 2024 presidential candidates.
Pressure mounts for another Trump-Harris debate
While there was originally talk of more than one meeting between Trump and Harris, the former president made his intentions clear with a post on Truth Social. “THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!” he wrote on Sept. 12.
But pressure has been mounting for another debate before the Nov. 5 election, The Hill reports.
Immediately following the first Trump-Harris debate, Harris’ campaign said they were interested in a rematch. Fox News offered to host it.
Harris accepts town hall invite
Weeks passed without movement, before CNN formally invited both candidates to a potential Oct. 23 debate. The vice president accepted the invite and said she hoped Trump would, as well.
“Vice President Harris is ready for another opportunity to share a stage with Donald Trump,” campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said. “Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate.”
Trump on another debate: ‘It’s too late’
But Trump told supporters at a North Carolina rally that it was “too late” for a second meeting.
“She’s done one debate. I’ve done two. It’s too late to do another. I’d love to, in many ways, but it’s too late. The voting is cast,” Trump said.
Following CNN’s move, Fox News once again offered to host a second Trump-Harris debate, but neither campaign has formally accepted that invitation, according to The Hill.
Trump has maintained his stance in more posts to Truth Social this month. “I beat Biden, I then beat her, and I’m not looking to do it again, too far down the line,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Votes are already cast — And I’m leading BIG in the Polls. I’ll MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, she’s incapable of it!”