Kamala Harris' campaign has rejected Donald Trump's proposal to have three presidential debates, accusing him of playing "games" as Trump ramps up pressure on Harris to begin taking questions from reporters.
The Harris campaign agreed to debate Trump on ABC News on September 10, and debate again sometime in October.
Trump has proposed debating three times in September, a timeline that would give voters more opportunities to see the candidates on stage before early voting begins.
Historically, there have been at least two presidential debates, but in recent years the number has typically been three.
Trump had one debate with Joe Biden in June, where Biden exposed signs of cognitive decline, sparking an effort to pressure him off the ticket.
In a statement, the Harris campaign agreed to two debates and accused Trump of playing "games," declaring, the "debate about debates is over.”
“Voters deserve to see the candidates for the highest office in the land share their competing visions for our future,” campaign communications director Michael Tyler said in a statement.
"The more they play games, the more insecure and unserious Trump and Vance reveal themselves to be to the American people. Those games end now.”
The Harris campaign said running mate Tim Walz would debate on October 1 with J.D. Vance, who has asked for two debates, although usually there is just one VP debate. Walz has been weathering a bruising stolen valor scandal for lying about his military service.
Harris has yet to hold an unscripted interview or press conference since launching her campaign weeks ago. She has gestured at doing an interview sometime by the end of August.
Trump has invited former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard to help him prepare for his debates with Harris. In 2019, Gabbard was credited with one of the most memorable moments of the Democratic primary when she confronted Harris over her record as a prosecutor.
“President Trump has proven to be one of the best debaters in political history as evidenced by his knockout blow to Joe Biden,” Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
"He does not need traditional debate prep but will continue to meet with respected policy advisors and effective communicators like Tulsi Gabbard, who successfully dominated Kamala Harris on the debate stage.”
