Showdown set: Trump and Harris to debate in September.

 On Thursday, Trump stated his willingness to engage in multiple debates with his Democratic opponent before the November election. "We believe there should be three debates," Trump said, suggesting two additional debates hosted by Fox News and NBC.

 

Ms. Harris confirmed her participation in the ABC debate during an event in Michigan on Thursday & later expressed openness to further debates . The network announced that the debate will be moderated by World News Tonight anchor David Muir & ABC News Live Prime anchor Linsey Davis.

 

"I am eager to debate Donald Trump & we have  scheduled it for September 10. I hear he is finally committed & I am looking forward to it," Ms. Harris said at the Detroit event.

 

Trump  the Republican candidate, previously debated President Joe Biden once in June . Another debate was planned for September 10. But Biden withdrew from the presidential race after a poor performance, leading to Ms. Harris becoming the Democratic nominee.

 

The confirmation of the ABC debate brings an end to the back and forth between the Trump & Harris campaigns following Biden's departure from the race . Trump had initially proposed a debate hosted by Fox News in Pennsylvania, at an unspecified location.

 

The Harris campaign maintained their preference to debate Trump on September 10. During a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Thursday, Trump also expressed interest in two additional debates: one on September 4 on Fox News and another on September 25 on NBC.

 

Trump also mentioned that CBS will host a debate between the vice-presidential nominees, Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz. NBC News is reportedly in discussions with both campaigns about a possible debate this fall, according to the New York Times.

 

Fox News sent formal letters to both campaigns proposing a September debate in Pennsylvania, though the Harris campaign emphasized that "Trump has to show up" for the ABC debate before confirming any further debates.

 

Trump also criticized Ms. Harris for not taking questions from reporters or doing interviews since becoming the likely Democratic nominee. He described her as "barely competent" and questioned her intelligence.

 

Later on Thursday, Ms. Harris told reporters she has asked her team to schedule an interview before the end of the month.

 

Trump's event took place amid reports that his campaign is feeling pressure from Democrats, who have gained new momentum under Ms. Harris and have been dominating headlines. Polls suggest her campaign has gained ground recently, though the race remains tight.

 

The former president denied that he had adjusted his campaign strategy to focus on Ms. Harris instead of Mr. Biden, and appeared irritated when asked about the crowd sizes at Harris' rallies. "Oh, give me a break," he said, claiming that his rally crowds are larger.

 

This Thursday news conference was Trump's first in several months, as his campaign had previously focused on rallies across the country.

 

Trump also praised his running mate JD Vance, who recently faced criticism for past comments about people without children. "I have to tell you, JD Vance has really stepped up," Trump said. "He's doing a fantastic job."

 

He also targeted Ms. Harris' record on immigration and the economy, claiming that 20 million people had crossed the US-Mexico border during the Biden-Harris administration, though the actual number is closer to 10.1 million, according to US Customs and Border Protection.

 

Trump touted his tax cuts as "the biggest in history," though analysis shows they were the eighth-largest as a percentage of GDP and the fourth-largest in dollar terms since 1940, adjusted for inflation. However, he did implement the largest corporate tax cut in US history.

 

Trump reiterated his belief that US presidents should have influence over interest rates and monetary policy, deviating from the tradition of the independent US Federal Reserve handling these matters. He emphasized his priorities of reducing inflation, lowering crime rates, and strengthening the military, and criticized the administration's transport policy, particularly regarding electric vehicles.

 

Ms. Harris addressed United Auto Workers in Detroit on Thursday, thanking the union for its endorsement. She noted there are "89 days to get this done" before the election.