Harris Accepts CNN’s Invitation for October Debate

On Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted CNN’s invitation to participate in a second presidential debate next month. The announcement adds pressure on former President Donald Trump to engage in another face-off, though Trump has so far expressed reluctance.

Harris’s campaign has been eager for a rematch following their first debate, with campaign chair Jennifer O’Malley Dillon emphasizing the importance of providing voters with another chance to hear from both candidates before casting their ballots. Dillon stated, "It would be unprecedented in modern history for there to just be one general election debate."

Trump: “I’d Love To, But It’s Too Late”

Trump, however, remains skeptical about participating in a second debate. At a rally in Wilmington, N.C., he addressed the call for a rematch, saying, “I’d love to, in many ways, but it’s too late,” referring to the fact that early voting has already begun in several states.

Some of Trump’s advisors have reportedly urged him to consider another debate, seeing it as an opportunity to further his message. However, Trump has privately indicated that he may not be interested, pointing out that his performance in the first debate was strong enough to solidify his position. He took to his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “When a prizefighter loses a fight, the first words out of his mouth are, ‘I WANT A REMATCH.’”

The First Debate: Mixed Reactions and Polling

The first debate between Harris and Trump drew mixed reactions. While some polls, such as those from *The New York Times* and *The Philadelphia Inquirer*, showed Harris receiving better reviews, with 67% of likely voters saying she performed well compared to Trump’s 40%, the overall race remained largely unaffected by the event. Trump supporters viewed his performance as a strong display of leadership, focusing on key issues like the economy, national security, and immigration.

In contrast, Harris’s supporters praised her composure and ability to counter Trump’s assertive style. Both candidates left the stage with their core bases largely intact, and while Harris’s campaign is pushing for a second debate, Trump appears to be leaning towards staying focused on other campaign strategies as early voting continues across the country.

What’s Next?

CNN has yet to receive an official response from Trump’s campaign regarding the October 23 debate. The network emphasized that a second debate would help inform the electorate, particularly in such a divided political landscape.

Whether or not the rematch will happen remains to be seen. For now, both campaigns are sticking to their narratives — Harris looking for another opportunity to make her case to voters, and Trump standing by his assertion that the first debate was a clear win for him.