# Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Debate Controversy **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump, kamala-harris\ **Created:** [August 5, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279 "2024-08-05T18:47:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/21 "2024-08-05T07:35:22Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Nope. We MUST try to do better. We tried “when they go low, we go high” already. The result was President Trump. Now it’s time to do things the Chicago way. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/22 "2024-08-05T07:36:22Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Put an empty lectern on one side of the stage if need be. Totally not fair! Having an entirely rational and well spoken surrogate for Trump that is. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/23 "2024-08-05T07:43:24Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > What? So when the Magats go low, Dems must also go equally low? Not at all. On balance, across all their policy positions and public behavior, Democrats have more integrity in a single dogcatcher than Republicans do in their whole convention. But if, in some isolated areas, they happen to say similar things (like pushing for debate rules that favor their candidate), I’m okay with that. Or if you prefer, think of it like this: Trump accuses some media outlets of bias becaue he’s afraid of the truth. Democrats accuse Fox News of bias because of all the evidence that it’s true. That doesn’t mean Democrats are sinking to Trump’s level. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/24 "2024-08-05T08:41:44Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Now it’s time to do things the Chicago way. Metaphorically, I hope. But yes, the Democrats should not bring a knife to a gunfight. ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/25 "2024-08-05T10:25:32Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > And has Trump preemptively accused ABC of bias, or given any excuse for why he’s backing out of the debate he already agreed to? The talking point that popped up all of a sudden yesterday in Facebook comments (so I know they got it from somewhere) is that Don-Old is suing ABC, so there’s a “conflict of interest” there. Of course, like all their other bullshit talking points, there’s no rational explanation for why that ABC “lawsuit” didn’t prevent a debate from being previously scheduled with someone his own age. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/26 "2024-08-05T12:34:40Z")
In his Chicago appearance last week, he pointedly called ABC “fake news.” Not a rare utterance from him, tho. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/27 "2024-08-05T13:50:39Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > And I’ll repeat my question from the preceding post; has Trump actually accused ABC of bias as an excuse for backing out of their debate? Yes, particularly because he currently has a lawsuit against ABC. > **[Trump Pulls Out of ABC Debate With Harris, Makes Pitch for Fox News](https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/trump-pulls-abc-news-debate-harris-fox-news-1236094738/)** > > Former President Donald Trump will no longer take part in a September 10 debate with Vice President Kamala Harris and suggested a Fox News event > In comments posted to Truth Social late Friday, Trump said the September 10 debate had been “terminated,” noting it had been agreed to when Biden was still the nominee. He also raised the issues of legal conflicts he had with ABC; Trump has filed a defamation suit against the network for comments made by anchor George Stephanopoulos around a decision that found the former president was liable for sexual abuse. Now of course he’s full of crap, which should be no surprise to anyone. When he originally agreed to the debate on ABC, he had already filed the lawsuit! [https://ca.news.yahoo.com/trump-says-hell-skip-abc-175721960.html](https://ca.news.yahoo.com/trump-says-hell-skip-abc-175721960.html) > But Trump [agreed](https://apnews.com/article/2024-election-presidential-debates-biden-trump-6b1d1dbb2ed61c7637041b23662d7da8), two months after filing his lawsuit, to the Sept. 10 debate on ABC, as well as the June 27 debate on CNN that helped knock Biden out of the race. David Muir and Linsey Davis, not Stephanopoulos, are set to be ABC’s debate moderators. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/28 "2024-08-05T14:40:41Z")
FOX should be a non-starter. It’s not a news organization. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/29 "2024-08-05T14:57:33Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > When he originally agreed to the debate on ABC, he had already filed the lawsuit! And this gives the notoriously litigious Trump an effective veto over any debate. Propose a broadcaster, and he just sues them. ABC? Lawsuit! NBC? Lawsuit! BBC? Lawsuit! CBC? Lawsuit! Joe Rogan’s Podcast? Lawsuit! Yelling at each other in the street? Believe it or not, Lawsuit! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/30 "2024-08-05T16:17:54Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > But that’s exactly the kind of thing the Trump side says. Pre-emptively claiming “oh, it won’t be fair so we won’t do it” is what the Trump side uses for a reason when they don’t want to debate. Fox News has proven time and time again that they won’t follow the rules. _Why else do you think Trump is insisting on them?_ Why should Trump get to turn it into a rally? Have you watched Fox News? They’re notorious for bending over backwards to make any “liberal” look bad. If they host the Trump rally debate, the fact checking will be non-existent (or will magically cut off). ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/31 "2024-08-05T16:32:54Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > We tried “when they go low, we go high” already. The result was President Trump. Now it’s time to do things the Chicago way. It’s not only about low versus high. It’s about not using the same stupid tactics that Trump does, because Trump is an idiot. I trust Kamala Harris to pull off a dignified, responsible performance even in front of a bunch of Fox News journalists. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/32 "2024-08-05T17:19:13Z")
As has been pointed out, there is an agreement signed by both campaigns to debate on ABC and does not mention the name of any of the candidates, just conditions for qualifying. Why are you encouraging Harris to allow Trump to unilaterally scrap this agreement? As seen in another thread “I agree to a swim meet with Katie Ledecky if she wears a suit of armor and I get a jet ski!” Um, no. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/33 "2024-08-05T18:34:50Z")
> [@Is Trump confused?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/1350): > > Have any of you noticed for how long you’ve been discussing terms of a debate between Trump and Harris, and not how or if Trump is confused? > > Seriously, none of you noticed? Shame on you. I honestly did not and I am ashamed. It came out of nowhere and I’m not kidding when I say I forgot what thread it was. ☹ I do think it’s worth its own thread, I was going to just start one but I think that it would be a shame to not include discussion from this thread. Would it be possible starting from this post, which started the hijack? [https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/1315](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-confused/996589/1315) I think everything from that post up to your modnote was all related to the Trump/Harris debate controversy. I apologize if this is too much work, I can just start a thread here in P&E and try to reference this one instead if that’s better. The last thing I want to do is make more trouble for you folks. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/34 "2024-08-05T18:39:22Z")
Thanks, @Atamasama. I do appreciate all you said. Tell you what: Please start the thread with a title of your choosing, and I’ll move the posts as you suggested. I agree it’s a fine topic. Just not for this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/35 "2024-08-05T18:47:58Z")
Previously, Donald Trump had agreed to a debate with his opponent on ABC which was scheduled on September 10. He has since backed out of that debate, which was originally going to be between himself and Joe Biden. Since Biden dropped out, and Kamala Harris is officially the Democratic nominee for president, Trump no longer wants to participate in that debate. He instead says he has agreed to debate her at Fox News on September 4, which was news to both Harris and Fox. He claims that only Fox can be “fair”, he also demands that he be able to bring an audience (presumably of Trump supporters) to back him up. Harris has said she will stick with the September 10 schedule regardless of whether Trump appears or not. (Note that the debate was between presidential candidates, nothing specified who that would be; it was scheduled long before either party had officially nominated anyone.) It remains to be seen whether the event at ABC turns into a town hall for Harris if Trump doesn’t appear. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/36 "2024-08-05T18:51:37Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > He claims that only Fox can be “fair” Didn’t he recently call them “fake news”? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/37 "2024-08-05T18:56:03Z")
Just as a FYI, here are the qualifications for the debate on ABC, to which both Trump and Biden agreed. Note that neither of ‘Trump’ or ‘Biden’ is mentioned. > **[ABC News Candidate Qualification Requirements for the 2024 Election...](https://abc.com/news/adaaae86-2621-41c7-b8f3-33a5215783f2/category/1138628)** > > ABC News candidate qualification requirements for the 2024 election presidential debate planned for Tuesday, Sept. 10. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/38 "2024-08-05T18:57:40Z")
He did claim weeks ago that the polls at Fox News that didn’t favor him are “fake”. > **[Trump rips Fox News over ‘fake’ polls: ‘I do better with CNN’](https://thehill.com/homenews/media/4762384-trump-rips-fox-news-polls-cnn/amp/)** > > Former President Trump tore into Fox News on Tuesday over its coverage of a poll showing him beating President Biden in a head-to-head match-up but losing to Vice President Harris. “FoxNews w… I do think he believes he’ll be able to get them to favor him if he holds the debate there. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/39 "2024-08-05T19:00:39Z")
To reiterate part of what I said earlier in the Pit thread, the “Fox News debate” does not exist and is just typical Trump lies and bullshit, and is his way of backing out of the debate because he’s running scared and knows that Harris will wipe the floor with him. To slightly modify and repeat part of what I previously said, this is the position that Harris should take: “We’re not playing this idiotic game. This is a presidential election and the American people deserve better than your usual conniving bullshit. I’m happy to debate you on any legitimate network – ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, or CNN – take your pick. Oh, they’re all ‘biased’ against you? Gee, maybe the problem is **you**. If you’re afraid to debate me, have the honesty to say so. I’ll go up to ABC on September 10 and answer moderators’ questions on my own.” ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279/40 "2024-08-05T19:14:06Z")
Who are some really good journalists you’d like to see as moderators? Anderson Cooper? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-debate-controversy/1005279.md?page=3)