"Harris accepts CNN debate invite, challenges Trump to a rematch"

"Harris Accepts CNN Debate Invitation, Calls for Trump Rematch Ahead of Election"

Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted CNN's invitation for an October 23 debate with former President Trump, challenging him to a second face-off before the November election.

**Why it matters:** Trump previously stated on Truth Social that there would be "no third debate," but Harris' campaign has been pushing for another since their first encounter. The day after their initial debate, Trump told *Fox & Friends* he was "less inclined" to participate in a second round but later mentioned he might reconsider "if in the right mood."

 

**Driving the news:** On Saturday, Harris took to X, stating, "I will gladly accept a second presidential debate on October 23," tagging Trump and adding, "I hope @realDonaldTrump will join me."

 

**Flashback:** This would mark the second CNN-moderated debate, following the pivotal Biden-Trump showdown, which sparked discussions about the president's 2024 candidacy.

 

**What they're saying:** Harris' campaign chair, Jen O'Malley Dillon, said Trump should have "no problem" agreeing to the debate, noting it follows the same format as their June debate, which Trump claimed victory in and praised for its fairness.

 

CNN proposed a similar format, with 90 minutes of questions and no studio audience. O'Malley Dillon expressed confidence in Harris' ability to demonstrate her command of the issues and make the case for moving beyond Trump.

 

**Friction point:** In the previous debate, Trump was repeatedly thrown off course by Harris, leading to several chaotic moments. Conservatives criticized ABC News moderators for fact-checking Trump live, calling it biased, contrasting CNN's approach, where moderators fact-checked online after the debate.

 

**What we're watching:** Trump has yet to respond to Harris' debate invitation. Fox News has also expressed interest in hosting an October rematch, according to Axios.

 

For Vice President Kamala Harris, tonight's debate against Donald Trump presents a pivotal high-stakes opportunity to reintroduce herself to voters and prove she’s capable of winning the White House.

 

**Why it matters:** While most voters have already formed strong opinions about Trump, many remain undecided about Harris. She needs to win over key groups, including independents, moderate Republicans, older white voters, Latinos, and African Americans, to defeat Trump on November 5.

 

In the debate, Harris will aim to counter Trump's narrative of her as a "dangerously liberal" candidate, instead portraying herself as a moderate, experienced leader. Although she has served as vice president for over three years, she’ll position herself as a candidate of change, while framing Trump as a divisive figure from the past.

 

**Between the lines:** Some of the pressure on Harris is self-imposed. Since unexpectedly taking over the Democratic ticket in July, she's largely avoided unscripted moments and has given limited interviews. Tonight's debate, moderated by ABC News' David Muir and Linsey Davis, will be the first major opportunity for many voters to see her as a presidential contender — and potentially her only chance before such a large audience.

 

**Zoom in:** The debate comes at a critical juncture in the campaign. After an initial surge of excitement following her replacement of President Biden on the Democratic ticket, Harris is now neck-and-neck with Trump in national polls and key swing states. According to a recent New York Times/Siena poll, 31% of voters say they still need to "learn more" about Harris, compared to only 12% who feel that way about Trump.

 

Although Trump has remained relatively stable in the polls, many top Republicans have urged him to focus on policy differences rather than personal attacks. Recently, he has escalated his rhetoric, threatening to jail political opponents if re-elected.

 

**Strategy hints:** Both campaigns have signaled their debate approaches. Harris, in a radio interview, warned that Trump "has no floor" when it comes to dishonesty and urged voters to be prepared for his low-blow tactics. Meanwhile, Trump’s adviser Jason Miller indicated the former president would criticize Harris for abandoning the "liberal" positions she held during her 2020 presidential run.

 

**What we're watching:** With many voters eager to learn more about Harris, will she focus on personal introductions or draw sharper policy contrasts with Trump? Beyond abortion rights, which policy issues will she emphasize to differentiate herself from Trump, who has taken credit for appointing three justices that overturned *Roe v. Wade*?

 

Will Trump stay restrained, as he did during his June debate against Biden, or will he display the temper he’s recently shown on the campaign trail? Harris’ team is betting on the latter.

 

**Optics:** Finally, there’s the question of stage presence. Trump and Harris have one of the largest height differences between presidential candidates in U.S. history—Trump is reportedly 6’3”, while Harris is 5’4”. Will this difference be noticeable on stage, or will any adjustments be made behind the podiums? Both campaigns declined to comment on the matter.

 

This debate may define the tone and trajectory of the final weeks leading up to Election Day.