Former President Donald Trump has announced his decision to participate in a tele-town hall hosted by Fox News instead of a debate on September 4, which had been planned.
According to The Hill, Trump made this announcement late Monday via a post on Truth Social, his social media platform.
The decision comes in the wake of Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign stating that she would not participate in the Fox News debate. Trump expressed that he was not surprised by Harris's decision, criticizing her for what he perceives as frequent changes in her stance on various issues.
Trump's post on Truth Social revealed that he has agreed to take part in a tele-town hall anchored by Sean Hannity. The event is scheduled to take place in Pennsylvania, with further details yet to be announced. This move marks a shift from the initially planned debate format to a more controlled setting for the former president.
The tele-town hall format may provide Trump with an opportunity to address his supporters directly and discuss his campaign platform without the direct confrontation of a debate. It also allows him to maintain a presence in the media landscape during the crucial campaign period.
Trump's decision to opt for this format comes amid ongoing negotiations and discussions about the debate schedule for the upcoming election.
The Harris campaign has outlined its debate participation plans for the election season. They have committed to a total of three debates: two presidential debates and one vice presidential debate.
According to the information provided, Harris has agreed to a presidential debate on September 10, which ABC News will host. The campaign has also expressed openness to considering a second presidential debate in October, contingent on the outcome of the September 10 event.
In addition to the presidential debates, both campaigns have agreed to a vice presidential debate. This debate, featuring Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D), is scheduled for October 1.
Trump had previously accepted two other proposed debates: one on September 4 on Fox News and another on September 25 on NBC News. However, with his recent announcement, it appears that the September 4 debate will no longer take place as initially planned.
It's worth noting that the current debate schedule is a departure from the original plan. Initially, Trump had agreed to two debates with President Biden, scheduled for June 27 and September 10. However, Biden's performance in the June debate led to calls for him to step aside as the Democratic nominee, which he did in late July.
The 2024 presidential campaign continues to evolve, with Trump opting for a tele-town hall format on Fox News instead of a traditional debate. Vice President Harris has committed to participating in two presidential debates and one vice presidential debate.
The agreed-upon schedule includes a presidential debate on September 10 and a vice presidential debate on October 1, with the possibility of an additional presidential debate in October. These developments reflect the dynamic nature of campaign strategies and the ongoing negotiations between the candidates' teams.
