ABC News said it will host the first debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on September 10.
The network confirmed the conflict in a post on X, after Trump said at a news conference Thursday that he would be open to interviewing Harris more often before the November election.
“We think we should do three debates,” Trump said, suggesting two shows he said would be hosted by Fox News and NBC.
Ms. Harris confirmed she will attend the ABC debate while at an event in Michigan on Thursday, but has not considered other potential contests.
“I’m looking forward to interviewing Donald Trump and we have a date of September 10. I feel like he’s finally committed to it and I’m looking forward to it,” Ms. Harris said at the event in Detroit.
Trump interviewed President Joe Biden once in June. The two were due to do it again on September 10 but Mr Biden pulled out of the race after not doing well against Trump in their first televised match.
Last week, Trump and Ms. Harris appeared to be at odds over where and when their first senior debate would be.
Trump had previously said he wanted a debate organized by the Fox News network, saying it would be held in Pennsylvania, “at a location to be determined”.
“The moderators of the debate will be Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum,” he said on his social media site Truth Social last week, adding that the rules would be the same as the debate he had with Mr. Biden but “with full. spectators in the field.”
The first debate, hosted by CNN, did not include an audience.
Ms Harris’ campaign previously said they would still like to interview Trump on September 10 – when his second debate with Mr Biden was due to be held with ABC News as host.
At his press conference on Thursday, Trump said he would like to speak with Ms Harris two more times – on September 4 at a conference hosted by Fox News and on September 25 in an NBC interview.
Trump also said that CBS will host a debate between the vice presidential nominees, Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz.
NBC News is reportedly in talks with both campaigns about a possible debate in the fall, but Harris’ campaign has not agreed to a Fox News debate, the New York Times reported.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump called Ms. Harris “incompetent,” adding that she “can’t do an interview.”
He also criticized him for not holding a press conference since announcing his campaign.
“She’s not smart enough to hold a news conference,” he said of Ms. Harris.
“But I’m looking forward to the debates,” Trump said.
His press conference on Thursday is his first in several months, as his campaign has previously focused on holding rallies across the country.
Trump also praised his partner Mr. Vance, who has recently been criticized for the speeches he made in 2021 when he said that those who do not have children should not lead the country and that women who do not have children are “sad” and “a cat without children.” women”.
“I have to tell you, JD Vance has really stepped up,” Trump said Thursday. “He’s doing a great job.”
He also focused on Mrs Harris’ history on immigration and the economy, reiterating his belief that US presidents should have a say in interest rates and monetary policy – breaking with the long-standing practice of having the US Federal Reserve, an independent body, oversee these matters.
Trump told reporters that internal polls show him leading in key swing districts, and he emphasized his priorities are reducing inflation and crime and strengthening the US military.
Meanwhile, Ms. Harris held a campaign event in Detroit, Michigan, with Walz, where she emphasized her support for labor unions and the middle class, as well as protecting the “liberties” of the American people.
“We want to recognize the right that all people have to freedom and liberty … and not let their government tell them what to do,” Ms Harris told her supporters.
National polls and field polls suggest he has gained ground against Trump since the start of his campaign, but the race remains competitive.
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