Former President Donald Trump has decided to withdraw his participation from a television debate scheduled for mid-September, according to a note from his campaign.
On Thursday, Campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung said it was too early for Trump to commit to appearing at the debate because Vice President Kamala Harris has not been formally named as the Democratic Party’s nominee for the 2024 White House race.
“Given the continued political chaos surrounding [President] Joe Biden and the Democratic Party, general election debate details cannot be finalized until Democrats formally decide on their nominee,” Cheung wrote in a note to reporters late Thursday evening.
Earlier this year, Trump agreed to participate in at least two debates — one produced by CNN that was held in June, and the upcoming debate organized by ABC News. Trump is suing ABC News for defamation, and suggested this week that the TV debate be moved to the Fox News Channel.
The agreement was made when Biden was running as the incumbent Democratic candidate, which changed on Sunday after he announced his withdrawal from the race. Biden immediately endorsed Harris, who has garnered enough delegate votes to be named as the party’s nominee for president, but who has not been formally named to the role.
“It would be inappropriate to schedule things with Harris because Democrats very well could still change their minds,” Cheung affirmed.
ABC News has not publicly commented on the matter.
