Harris says she’s ready to debate on CNN, urges Trump to join

Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday accepted an invitation from CNN to debate former President Donald Trump on Oct. 23, her campaign said. 

“Vice President Harris is ready for another opportunity to share a stage with Donald Trump,” Harris-Walz campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon said in a statement.

“Donald Trump should have no problem agreeing to this debate. It is the same format and setup as the CNN debate he attended and said he won in June, when he praised CNN’s moderators, rules and ratings,” she continued. 

The Washington Times reached out to Mr. Trump’s campaign to ask whether he’ll attend the debate. 

If Mr. Trump says yes, it would be the second matchup between the two following a debate this month moderated by ABC. After that face-off, he vowed not to do another.

The last debate Mr. Trump attended on CNN in June saw the meltdown of President Biden’s bid for a second term in the White House, leading to his decision to step aside in favor of Ms. Harris for the Democratic nomination. 

CNN reported that the new debate would have no studio audience, with the candidates answering questions from moderators for 90 minutes. 

“Both Vice President Harris and former President Trump received an invitation to participate in a CNN debate this fall, as we believe the American people would benefit from a second debate between the two candidates for president of the United States,” the network said in a statement. “We look forward to receiving a response from both campaigns so the American public can hear more from these candidates as they make their final decision.”