On Thursday, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced he would not engage in any further debates against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the upcoming November 5 election. Trump’s declaration comes after recent polls suggested that Harris performed better than him in their debate earlier in the week.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said, “THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!” Despite this, he previously participated in a debate against President Joe Biden in June and squared off with Harris on Tuesday. Trump continues to claim victory over Harris in their debate, but multiple sources indicate otherwise.
Mixed Reactions and Polling Data
Several key Republican donors and Trump advisers told Reuters that they believed Harris had outperformed Trump. The consensus was that Trump had struggled to stay on message, contributing to Harris’s perceived success.
The debate, watched by 67.1 million viewers, drew significant public attention. However, polls reveal contrasting opinions about who won. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed 53% of respondents thought Harris performed better, compared to 24% who believed Trump came out on top. Similarly, CNN’s flash poll reported that a majority of viewers favored Harris’s performance, while YouGov’s poll indicated that 54% believed Harris won, with 31% backing Trump.
Calls for More Debates
In a rally shortly after Trump’s post, Kamala Harris responded, stating: “I believe we owe it to the voters to have another debate.” Despite her push, public opinion appears divided. According to the Reuters/Ipsos poll, 54% of registered voters felt that one debate was sufficient, while 46% wished for more.
With election day approaching, Trump’s decision to opt out of further debates may shape the final days of his campaign strategy.