Donald Trump has announced that he will not participate in a third presidential debate against Kamala Harris, just weeks ahead of the November 5th election. Trump made the declaration on Truth Social, stating that another debate is unnecessary after his performance in their previous two encounters.
“I’ve already won—there’s no need for a rematch,” Trump said during a rally in Tucson, Arizona. “When a fighter wins, they don’t keep getting back into the ring. Kamala Harris lost twice, and the people know it.”
The decision comes after what Trump described as a “monumental victory” in their most recent debate. He further argued that the American public has already seen enough of the two candidates, and there’s no reason to engage in another debate.
Kamala Harris, however, strongly disagrees. Speaking at a rally in North Carolina, the Democratic presidential nominee called for a third debate, insisting that the candidates owe it to the voters to provide a final comparison before Election Day.
“Two nights ago, Donald Trump and I had a debate, but we owe it to the American people to have one more,” Harris said. “This election is about the future of the country, and a third debate would give voters the clarity they deserve.”
While Trump has boasted of his success, polls paint a more nuanced picture. Post-debate surveys indicate a close race. A Fusion Reports poll shows Trump at 49% and Harris at 47%, with just 1% supporting third-party candidates and 2% still undecided. In the key battleground state of Michigan, an Insider Advantage survey has Trump ahead by only one point, although Harris had led in earlier polling.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll taken after their latest debate gives Harris a 47% to 42% lead, with 53% of respondents believing she outperformed Trump, compared to 24% who thought Trump did better. However, Trump’s team continues to highlight their internal polling, which suggests a different story, emphasizing their belief in the strength of his debate performances.
As the campaigns head into the final stretch, both candidates remain locked in a tight race. Harris is pushing for another opportunity to directly confront Trump on the debate stage, while Trump is focusing on rallying his base with in-person events.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise in the political landscape. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland recently spoke out, defending the Justice Department from accusations of bias and condemning threats against staff as political divisions intensify ahead of the election.
Whether Trump’s decision to skip a third debate helps or hurts his standing remains to be seen, but with polling showing a near dead heat, the candidates are heading into the final weeks with everything to play for.
