Trump says he won't accept CNN invite to debate Harris

Summary

Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted CNN's invitation to debate former President Trump on October 23rd. This would be their second public debate, following Trump's initial rejection for a rematch after their September 10th encounter. The debate's format will be similar to previous ones, with 90 minutes of moderator questions without a live audience. Panelists discuss the potential impact, with some suggesting Trump's past debate performances indicate he might not benefit from another, while others see it as an opportunity for Harris to further contrast leadership styles.

Takeaways

• 📅 Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation to debate former President Trump on October 23rd.
• 🔄 This would be the second public debate between Harris and Trump, following their meeting in Philadelphia last week.
• 🎙️ The proposed CNN debate format would be similar to the June debate between Biden and Trump, with 90 minutes of moderator questions and no live audience.
• 🗳️ Some argue that another debate is unnecessary as voting has already begun, suggesting it's too late to sway voters significantly.
• 🤔 Scott Jennings, a former senior adviser to President George W. Bush, expresses skepticism about the value of another debate for Trump.
• 💡 Karen Finney, a former senior adviser for Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, sees the debate as an opportunity for Harris to contrast her leadership with Trump's.
• 🗣️ A panelist suggests Trump is not a strong debater and could be easily triggered, which could lead to a poor performance.
• 📊 The debate could be an opportunity for Trump to grow his support base, but there are doubts about his ability to do so effectively.
• 📺 Brian Stelter points out the importance of television ratings for Trump and suggests he might agree to the debate to reach a large audience.
• 🏆 The Harris campaign has stated that it would be unprecedented for there to be only one general election debate between the two main candidates.

Q & A

Who has accepted an invitation from CNN to debate on October 23rd?

Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation from CNN to debate former President Trump on October 23rd.

What is the significance of the October 23rd debate between Kamala Harris and former President Trump?

The October 23rd debate would be their second meeting on a public debate stage and would take place in the final few weeks of the campaign season.

What was the initial reaction of former President Trump regarding a second debate with Kamala Harris?

Initially, former President Trump rejected a second debate with Harris, suggesting that it was too late since voting had already started.

How does the format of the proposed CNN debate between Kamala Harris and former President Trump compare to previous debates?

The CNN debate would mirror the June debate between Biden and Trump, with a similar format where the participants would field moderator questions for 90 minutes without a live studio audience.

What is Scott Jennings' opinion on whether former President Trump should reconsider the invitation to debate?

Scott Jennings is skeptical about whether Trump should do another debate, suggesting that it might not make a huge difference and questioning the value of participating at this late stage of the campaign.

What does Karen Finney believe about the potential benefits for Vice President Harris in debating again?

Karen Finney sees any opportunity for a direct contrast between the former president and Vice President Harris as a win for Harris, given her strong performance in previous debates.

What is the general consensus among the panelists about the effectiveness of debates for the former president's campaign?

The panelists generally agree that the former president is not a particularly good debater and that participating in another debate could potentially harm his campaign.

What is the significance of the statement made by Jen O'Malley Dillon, the Harris campaign chair, regarding the debate?

Jen O'Malley Dillon stated that it would be unprecedented in modern history for there to just be one general election debate between the two candidates, suggesting that Trump should have no problem participating.

What is Brian Stelter's perspective on the importance of additional debates for informing the American public?

Brian Stelter believes that additional debates, like the one proposed by CNN, are important for informing the American public, as previous debates have been successful in terms of providing insights into the candidates' positions.

How does the panel discuss the potential impact of the former president's decision to decline the debate invitation?

The panel discusses that declining the debate invitation might be spun by the former president as a strategic move, but it could also be perceived as a sign of weakness by some voters, especially considering his past focus on television ratings.

Outlines

00:00

🗞️ Breaking News: Kamala Harris Accepts Debate Invitation

Vice President Kamala Harris has agreed to a CNN-hosted debate with former President Donald Trump, set for October 23rd. This would be their second public debate, following a previous debate on September 10th. Trump, after initially declining a second debate, hinted that he might reconsider under the right circumstances. The debate would mirror a June debate between Biden and Trump, featuring 90 minutes of moderated questions without a live audience, and it will be held at CNN's Atlanta studios. Despite the excitement around the event, Trump expressed that the timing may be too late, as voting has already begun.

05:02

💡 Panel Discussion: Should Trump Debate Again?

CNN's political commentators, Scott Jennings and Karen Finney, weigh in on the upcoming debate. Jennings is skeptical about Trump participating, noting that he has debated seven times in the past, and questions whether another debate would yield any positive outcomes for him, especially with limited time left in the campaign. On the other hand, Finney sees the debate as a potential win for Harris, given her strong past performance and Trump's noticeable decline in debate skills compared to 2016. Both agree that while the CNN debate would be well-organized, Trump might not benefit from participating.

🎤 Trump's Debate Struggles: The Risks of Another Face-Off

The conversation shifts to Trump's performance in previous debates. Panelists argue that he is not a strong debater and tends to be easily distracted and 'triggered' by opponents like Harris. They note that Trump struggled with facts and staying on message in earlier debates, which could be problematic for his campaign if he agrees to another debate. Trump's tendency to double down on his base instead of expanding it raises concerns about whether he can use another debate to grow support.

📉 Impact of Debate: Growing Support vs. Political Risks

The panel continues to discuss whether another debate would help Trump. They doubt that participating would allow him to broaden his voter base, which remains stagnant. Trump's tendency to get off-topic and focus on irrelevant issues, such as his earlier comments about Ohio, detracts from the potential benefits of debating again. The panel concludes that Trump's campaign likely sees the risks outweighing the potential gains.

📺 Media Strategy: Trump's Relationship with TV Ratings

The conversation turns to Trump's media strategy. The panel discusses his obsession with television ratings and how his previous debates have been viewed by millions. Despite Trump's public reluctance, they speculate that he might find it hard to resist the massive audience a debate could attract. Trump's focus on ratings, stemming from his background with 'The Apprentice,' suggests he may ultimately agree to participate in another debate, despite the risks.

Keywords

💡Vice President Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris is the second-highest officer in the executive branch of the U.S. federal government. In the script, she is mentioned as accepting an invitation to debate former President Trump, highlighting her active role in the political discourse leading up to the election. This debate signifies her engagement with the public and her willingness to defend her party's policies and positions.

💡Debate

A debate is a formal discussion where opposing arguments are put forward to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each side. In the context of the script, the debate is a political event where Kamala Harris and former President Trump will engage in public discourse to sway voters. Debates are crucial in elections as they allow candidates to articulate their views and respond to challenges from their opponents.

💡CNN

CNN, or Cable News Network, is a major American news-based pay television channel. In the script, CNN is the network hosting the debate, showcasing its role in facilitating political discourse and providing a platform for candidates to interact with the public. CNN's involvement is significant as it indicates the media's role in shaping public opinion and disseminating information.

💡October 23rd

October 23rd is the proposed date for the debate between Kamala Harris and former President Trump. This date is significant as it falls within the final weeks of the campaign period, a crucial time when voters are making their final decisions. The timing of the debate is strategic, as it aims to influence undecided voters and provide a platform for candidates to address pressing issues.

💡Former President Trump

Former President Trump refers to the 45th President of the United States, who is mentioned in the script as considering participating in a debate with Kamala Harris. His involvement in the debate is a central theme of the video, as it discusses his potential reasons for accepting or declining the invitation and the implications of his decision on his campaign.

💡Public Debate Stage

A public debate stage is a platform where political figures engage in discussions in front of an audience, typically to discuss their views on various issues. In the script, the mention of a public debate stage refers to the venue where the debate between Harris and Trump is to take place, emphasizing the public nature of the event and its importance in democratic processes.

💡Moderators

Moderators in a debate are individuals who guide the discussion, ensuring that rules are followed and that all participants have an equal opportunity to express their views. The script mentions that the CNN debate will have moderators asking questions, indicating their role in maintaining the structure and fairness of the debate.

💡Voting

Voting is the act of expressing one's choice or opinion, typically in an election, by casting a ballot. The script discusses the timing of the debate in relation to when voting has already started, emphasizing the urgency and relevance of the debate in influencing voters' decisions.

💡Campaign

A campaign in the political context refers to a series of activities aimed at achieving a particular goal, such as winning an election. The script mentions the campaigns of both Kamala Harris and former President Trump, highlighting the strategic decisions they make regarding debates and other campaign activities.

💡Supporters

Supporters are individuals who actively advocate for a particular candidate or political party. In the script, the term is used to discuss the potential impact of the debate on the core supporters of both Kamala Harris and former President Trump, as well as the undecided voters.

💡Television Ratings

Television ratings measure the audience size and viewership of a particular program. The script implies that former President Trump is aware of the high viewership that debates attract, suggesting that the potential for high ratings could be a factor in his decision to participate in the debate.

Highlights

Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation from CNN to debate former President Trump on October 23rd.

This debate would be their second meeting on a public debate stage, taking place in the final few weeks of the campaign.

Trump initially rejected the second debate but later suggested he might be open to it, depending on his mood.

The debate would be held at CNN’s studios in Atlanta without a live studio audience, similar to a previous debate between Biden and Trump.

Trump expressed hesitation, stating it might be too late for another debate as voting had already begun.

Political commentators debated whether Trump should accept the invitation, with some arguing he has little to gain from another debate.

Scott Jennings, a former senior advisor to President George W. Bush, mentioned that Trump has historically not performed well in debates, but it did not prevent him from winning in 2016.

Karen Finney, former senior advisor for the Hillary Clinton campaign, argued that the debate would benefit Harris by contrasting her leadership against Trump’s performance.

Finney noted that Trump’s debate performances have deteriorated since 2016, with recent debates showing him as undisciplined and unfocused.

The debate was viewed as an opportunity for Harris to showcase her leadership skills, especially in a one-on-one setting against Trump.

Commentators suggested Trump’s team might avoid the debate due to his poor track record with factual discussions and his tendency to be easily distracted.

There was speculation that Trump might avoid the debate because he knows it could go poorly for him.

Brian Stelter noted that Harris's campaign is eager for the debate, viewing it as a strategic advantage.

CNN emphasized that another debate would benefit the country by providing voters with more information ahead of the election.

Despite his hesitation, commentators believed Trump might eventually accept the debate due to his interest in high television ratings.

Transcripts

Hello again, everyone.

Thank you so much for joining me

this Saturday. I'm Fredricka Whi

All right. We begin this hour

with our breaking news.

Vice President Kamala Harris

has accepted an invitation

from CNN to debate former

President Trump on October 23rd.

This would be their second

meeting on a public debate stage

and would take place

in the final few weeks of the ca

After initially rejecting a seco

with Harris

following his September 10th sho

with her in Philadelphia

last week,

Trump suggested

he might be open

to another debate, saying,

I'm quoting him

Maybe if I got in the right mood

and quote,

the CNN debate would mirror

the June debate

between Biden

and Trump with a similar format

in which Trump

and this time Harris

would field

moderators questions for 90 minu

without a live studio audience,

and it would take place

at the network's studios in Atla

You know, a lot of people say, O

It's great entertainment.

I've already done two.

The problem with another debate

is that it's just too late.

Voting has already started.

She's done one debate.

I've done two.

It's too late to do another.

I'd love to in many ways,

but it's too late.

The voting is cast.

The voters are out there immedia

So let's turn now to our

panel, CNN senior political comm

and former

senior adviser to President Geor

W Bush, Scott

Jennings, and CNN political comm

and former

senior adviser

for the Hillary Clinton 2016

campaign, Karen Finney.

Good to see both of you

on this Saturday night.

Scott, let's start first with yo

Let's talk about this potential

Do you think that the former pre

should reconsider this invitatio

or do you think it's

the right call for him

to to not do any additional deba

Well, first of all,

I should say I do have great con

that CNN would put on a good deb

So we'll start there.

We did a great one in in Atlanta

Number two,

I have been skeptical about

whether he should do another deb

I thought maybe not.

You know, he's done seven.

I take the Biden

one out from the summer

and the other six.

The snap polls have always judge

This goes back to 2016

not to have won the debate,

even though it didn't

keep him from beating Hillary Cl

He did lose three to her.

So I've just wondered,

what are you going to get out of

And and is it

is it worth your time

when you're running a campaign?

And he's right that late?

You know, I'm

not sure it would make a huge di

You know,

when you're using your time,

you're asking yourself, am I

am I getting something positive?

And I just don't know

that there is anything to get.

So I think he's probably making

call here.

And Karen, for her part,

Vice President Harris seems very

to have another debate.

Her and her team

very happy with how the last one

What do you think?

Well, look, I think the any oppo

to have such a direct contrast b

the former president

and our vice president

is a win for the vice president.

She did very well during the deb

in large measure.

I mean, her own performance.

But we also saw

your daughter bump

has really lost

a step

from where he was in 2016

or even some of the debate perfo

we saw in 2020.

We saw a lot of rambling.

We saw, you know,

he really had no discipline,

no ability to stay on message

and to stay focused.

So I understand why

they don't want to do a debate.

I agree with Scott.

Of course,

the CNN debate would be excellen

and a great opportunity.

But I

but I understand

why he doesn't want to do it.

And I do think it would be

another great opportunity

for the vice president.

I think anytime she's

in that environment,

she's showing

what a strong leader she is.

What's your viewpoint here?

Is it unnecessary?

You know,

or would it be instructive

for the former president to deba

Well, I think the

former president

be crazy to debate again.

I mean, he's not a particularly good debater.

You know, he did terribly in the last deba

The only

he benefited from Joe Biden's im

in the first debate.

But he's not a good debater

and he's so easily triggered

and trolled by Kamala Harris,

then he doesn't really discuss

policy well,

and he has a problem

with facts and truth.

So I'm sure his campaign doesn't

want him to do another debate

because I suspect they know

it will go very badly.

That's as simple as that.

I just can't imagine any reason

why he should go up there.

It's just

he'll just have another drubbing

Well, you heard the former

president spinning it.

They're saying,

you know,

she's the one who performed so b

And this is like a rematch

and that's what a fighter would

But he needs to grow support.

So we know his supporters are wi

Would it not be an opportunity t

get more support?

Well, sure, I guess.

Well, I guess it's an opportunit

But the question is, what will h

Well, he will he continue to,

you know, be triggered?

Will he be distracted?

He'll talk about

people in Ohio eating cats and d

Will he not be able to answer qu

whether or not he supports

Ukraine in the war against Russi

I mean, I just don't know

that he's capable of giving answ

that would actually help him

grow his support.

He's done nothing up to this poi

to really expand upon his base.

He doubles down in his base all

He needs to grow it.

So this opportunity,

I think he would blow it

if he if he took you up on it.

Gotcha.

And Julian,

we know the former president,

he likes to come across

as looking strong,

saying no to debate is

does that make him look strong?

Well, no.

I mean, he will

spin it

the way he's

spinning it to act

as if he's defending himself.

He's under attack,

which is his traditional rhetori

But it does make him

look for many voters, I'm sure,

I think many people will see it

the congressman just described i

And this does undermine

some of that image, although,

again, for his supporters,

his image endures

and we see those polls don't cha

So it's

what do the small pockets

of undecideds think?

And I don't think this benefits,

but I don't think there's much h

I think he knows enough to know.

The odds are

this could go very poorly for hi

And he knows,

I think

despite the rhetoric

that that last debate

was not a good TV performance,

which is something he does measu

Brian Stelter, let's bring you i

Good to see you, Brian.

Welcome back on the weekends wit

So what how do you assess this?

I mean, Harris

and her campaign have said yes

to CNN's invitation

and saying this publicly.

And first,

I'd say that's a big nudge chall

I mean, kind of goading Trump in

you know, are you willing to do

Yes, absolutely right.

CNN says in a statement

that the network believes

this will be good

for the country, for voters

to have another debate.

And I think we can all agree

that that is the case.

Think about the two debates

we've seen so far this year.

Both were hugely successful

in terms of

informing the American people.

We learned a lot about Biden

and Trump in June,

and we learned a lot about Trump

and Harris just a few weeks ago.

So here now,

we look forward to the next few

The only debate currently schedu

is the vice presidential debate

that's between Walz and JD Vance

Tim Walz and Jay Advance. Octobe

We knew the Harris campaign

didn't want to debate again

until the VP debate.

But I think here's

the interesting thing, Fred.

Is the VP debate

really going to be the last word

It probably shouldn't be the las

Historically, it never has been.

Historically, there's been a VP

and then another presidential de

So I think that might be the log

or the calculus

that does not play here,

as CNN formally proposes

this debate, as Harris accepts i

Furthermore, Jen O'Malley,

Dillon, the Harris campaign chai

and she said in a statement

a few minutes ago,

it would be unprecedented

in modern history

for there to just be one general election

between the two candidates.

She said Trump should have no pr

participating because, quote,

it's the same format and setup

as the CNN debate he attended in

Interesting.

And even with this truncated

political season now with these

you know,

yeah, it would be a remark knowa

But then what will it say, Brian

if the former president says no?

We remember his all caps

post on true

social saying

there will not be a third debate

We also know that we can't

take him at his word historicall

given that he's often changed hi

about many topics from policies

to whether he'll debate again.

I personally, Fred,

have believed all along

that the former president

will find it irresistible

to reach 60, 70, 80 million view

President Trump,

more than anyone else, knows

the power of television ratings.

He cared deeply about that

even decades ago on The Apprenti

He still cares deeply

today about television ratings.

And he knows that

both of the debates

he's been in this year

have been huge smash successes.

So to my gut

as a TV

guy has been that

he will eventually agree to a de

because he wants to reach

that huge audience

in the final weeks before

before Election Day.