Trump Reaffirms September 10 Debate, Takes Aim at Harris in Fiery Press Conference

Palm Beach, The Gulf Observer: Former President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his commitment to debating Vice President Kamala Harris after initially withdrawing from the challenge. During an extended news conference at his Palm Beach estate on Thursday, Trump taunted his newly solidified rival, praised the crowd he drew on January 6, 2021, and questioned the integrity of the upcoming November elections.

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, addressed reporters as ABC announced that both he and Harris, the Democratic nominee, have agreed to a highly anticipated debate on September 10. This debate is expected to be a major event in what is already shaping up to be an unprecedented election. Trump revealed that he had proposed holding three debates in September, each hosted by different television networks.

In his remarks, Trump reiterated his controversial claim that there was a “peaceful transfer” of power in 2021, while also renewing his attacks on Republican rivals, including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who has been a target of Trump’s ire for refusing to support his unfounded claims of election fraud.

Throughout the more than hour-long press conference, Trump attempted to draw a contrast between himself and Harris, noting that she has not held a news conference since becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race. Trump’s decision to engage with ABC, despite previously declaring he would not appear on the network, sets the stage for a crucial moment in the election. Biden’s last debate performance, widely criticized as disastrous, played a significant role in his decision to exit the race.

“I think it’s very important to have debates,” Trump stated on Thursday. “I look forward to the debates because I think we have to set the record straight.”

The Harris campaign has yet to comment on Trump’s latest remarks or the upcoming debate.

Thursday’s event marked Trump’s first public appearance since Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. Trump characterized Walz as a “radical left man,” and added, “Between her and him, there’s never been anything like this. There’s certainly never been anybody so liberal like these two.”

Trump also repeatedly questioned Harris’s intelligence and capability to debate him, while Harris has been actively encouraging Trump to participate in the debates.

When asked about Harris’s campaign crowds and the growing enthusiasm within the Democratic Party, Trump dismissed the question as “stupid” and denied that he had altered his campaign strategy despite facing a new opponent.

When pressed on what strengths Harris might bring to the race, Trump remarked dismissively, “She’s a woman. She represents certain groups of people.”