Opening Night of the Democratic National Convention
FactcheckAUG 2024
Harris, Trump Campaigns Debate Parameters of Debate
Above: Former Pres. Donald Trump at the June 2024 presidential debate. Image copyright: Justin Sullivan/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
The specter of having to face Harris in a debate has again thrown Trump into a panic. For the second time this month, the former president has tried to search for a way to back out of the debate while making it look like he's not a coward. Trump wasn't able to fool anyone — not even his supporters — the last time, and it won't work this time. He's going to have to show up and face the vice president on Sept.10.
Republican narrative
This attempt to change the agreed-upon rules for the next debate shows Harris is the one who's afraid to get on the debate stage. She saw how Trump trounced Biden in June — so badly that the president was pushed off the ticket — and now Harris is trying to dodge the debate and pin the blame on Trump. Harris should debate by the rules or admit she's scared.