Fox News invites Donald Trump and Kamala Harris to September debate

Fox News proposed a debate on Sept. 17 in Pennsylvania between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in a letter to both campaigns dated Tuesday. “As you recall, despite not having a Democratic debate in 2016/2020, Fox News was able to secure town halls with Democratic candidates,” Fox executive Jay Wallace wrote in a letter to Harris campaign Chair Jen O’Malley Dillon that was obtained by The Post. Wallace sent a nearly identical letter to Trump campaign senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles. The letter included a variety of stats boasting about Fox News being the ratings king in key timeslots. Specifically, he suggested that Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum could host the verbal bout to “foster informed political dialogue.” Harris, 59, previously agreed to a CBS vice presidential debate, though a date was never set and it has been thrust into uncertainty due to her ascension. AFP via Getty Images The timing of the debate proposal is intended to coincide with early voting getting underway in Pennsylvania and other battleground states, according to Wallace. Explore More “We are open to discussion on the exact date, format and location — with or without an audience,” Wallace stressed in the letter. The Post reached out to both the Trump and Harris campaigns for comment. Harris, 59, previously agreed to a CBS vice presidential debate, though a date was never set and it has been thrust into uncertainty due to her ascension. Trump, 78, had previously agreed to the ABC News against Biden. But upon Harris’ rapid ascension to presumptive Democratic nominee for president, he groused about it. ABC News’ debate had been slated for Sept. 10. Donald Trump has boasted about his debate against President Biden as a knockout blow. David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK “My debate with Crooked Joe Biden, the Worst President in the history of the United States, was slated to be broadcast on Fake News ABC, the home of George Slopadopolus, sometime in September,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Sunday. “Now that Joe has, not surprisingly, has quit the race, I think the Debate, with whomever the Radical Left Democrats choose, should be held on FoxNews, rather than very biased ABC. Thank you!” On Tuesday, Trump lashed out at Fox News for inviting Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on to speak about the state of the race. “Why did Fox News put up Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota, where I am leading? They make me fight battles that I shouldn’t have to fight!” he complained on Truth Social. Fox News sent invites to both campaigns. AFP via Getty Images During a call with reporters Tuesday, Trump affirmed that he “absolutely” plans on debating Harris, who has clinched the delegates needed for the nomination. “Oh yes, absolutely, I’d want to. I think it’s important. I’m not thrilled about ABC because they’re truly fake news,” he said when asked about debating Harris. “I would be willing to do more than one debate, actually.” Trump prided himself on his performance against Biden last month, which he suggested was the incumbent president’s political “ending.”