Trump vs Harris: Fox News Set to Host Debate with Live Audience on September 4th

Former President Donald Trump announced on Friday night that he has accepted a proposal from Fox News to participate in a debate against Vice President Kamala Harris.

The event is scheduled for September 4th in Pennsylvania, though the exact location remains undetermined.

Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to share the news, stating, “I have agreed with Fox News to debate Kamala Harris on Wednesday, September 4th.”

This announcement comes on the heels of the cancellation of a previously scheduled face-off between Trump and President Joe Biden, which was to be hosted by ABC News.

Trump cited his ongoing lawsuit against ABC News and its anchor George Stephanopoulos as the reason for the cancellation, claiming a conflict of interest.

“The Debate was previously scheduled against Sleepy Joe Biden on ABC, but has been terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant, and I am in litigation against ABC Network and George Slopadopoulos,” Trump wrote.

Fox News Debate to Feature Live Audience

The upcoming debate, moderated by Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, will feature a live audience, a departure from the previous CNN-hosted debate between Trump and Biden, which took place in an empty venue.

Trump had expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of a crowd during the CNN event, but both campaigns had initially agreed to the format.

The presence of a live audience at the Fox News event is expected to add a dynamic element to the event, as Trump has often thrived in front of supportive crowds.

Harris Accuses Trump of Backpedaling

Vice President Kamala Harris has earlier expressed her readiness to face Trump on the debate stage, accusing him of backpedaling on a previous agreement to debate on ABC News on September 10th.

However, it is unclear if her campaign has agreed to the proposed Fox News face-off with Trump.

“Well Donald, I do hope you’ll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage,” Harris said at a rally in Atlanta on Tuesday. “Because as the saying goes, ‘If you’ve got something to say, say it to my face.’”

Harris became the Democratic Party’s nominee for president after Biden announced he was dropping his re-election campaign.

Trump had previously refused a face-off with Harris, citing her status as the party’s unofficial candidate.

However, with Harris now officially securing enough delegates to become the party’s nominee, Trump has agreed to the Fox News proposal.

Trump Claims Debate Will Expose “Bad Policies”

In his Truth Social post, Trump criticized the Democratic Party’s decision to replace Biden with Harris, calling it “a Threat to Democracy” and referring to the move as a “coup.” Despite his grievances, Trump stated that he is “totally prepared” to face Harris and expose what he called the Democrats’ “bad Policies” on September 4th.

“I spent Hundreds of Millions of Dollars, Time, and Effort fighting Joe, and when I won the Debate, they threw a new Candidate into the ring. Not fair, but it is what it is!” Trump continued.

“Nevertheless, different Candidate or not, their bad Policies are the same, and this will be strongly revealed at the September 4th Debate.”

Significance of the September 4th Debate

The timing of the debate is significant, as it falls just two days before the start of early voting in the 2024 Presidential Election.

Trump emphasized the importance of the debate date, stating, “This date is convenient and appropriate in that it is just prior to the September 6th start of Early Voting in the 2024 Presidential Election. I look forward to seeing everyone on September 4th, in the Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania!”

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