Trump turns his focus to Harris at his first rally after Biden's exit from the 2024 race
NBCJUL 2024
Trump Refuses to Commit to Harris Debate Until Formal Nomination
Image copyright: Joe Raedle/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Throughout the year, Trump begged to debate Biden with complete indifference to the details. However, the former president and his team became reluctant to face Kamala Harris as soon as she became the presumptive Democratic nominee. Trump fears how he would perform against her, so he is backpedaling now.
Republican narrative
It doesn't matter how hard Democrats and their media allies try to act as if Trump is dodging the September debate; that claim will never be valid. He had agreed to face off with Biden twice after details were negotiated between their teams, so new negotiations over rules and timing must occur once a new Democratic candidate is nominated.