Trump rejects Kamala Harris’ for another debate, claims polls prove his win

New Delhi: Former President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will not participate in another debate with Vice President Kamala Harris before the November 5 election. Trump dismissed Harris' request for a rematch, interpreting it as a sign of her defeat.

Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that Harris' plea for a second debate was a clear indication of her loss during their recent debate on Tuesday. “Polls clearly show that I won the debate against Comrade Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ radical left candidate, on Tuesday night, and she immediately called for a second debate,” Trump wrote. He continued, “There will be no third debate,” referring to his prior debates, one against President Joe Biden in June and this recent one with Harris.

When a prizefighter loses a fight, the first words out of his mouth are, “I WANT A REMATCH.” Polls clearly show that I won the Debate against Comrade Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ Radical Left Candidate, on Tuesday night, and she immediately called for a Second Debate. She and…

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 12, 2024

Preference to Kamala Harris

While Trump pointed to unnamed polls asserting his victory in the debate, mainstream media outlets presented a contrasting narrative. A CNN poll conducted shortly after the debate indicated a clear preference for Vice President Kamala Harris, with 63% of viewers stating that she outperformed Trump. Only 37% of respondents felt that Trump had won the debate, signaling a strong consensus in favor of Harris.

Another poll by YouGov echoed similar sentiments. In their survey, 43% of participants believed Harris had a better overall performance, with 28% supporting Trump and a significant 30% remaining undecided. These results show a broader public perception of Harris as the stronger debater, contradicting Trump's claims of victory.

Difference in opinion

The disparity between Trump's self-declared win and the findings from established polling organizations highlights the divide in opinion between Trump's supporters and the general viewing audience. Polls like CNN and YouGov often draw from a wide and diverse pool of respondents, offering a broader view of public sentiment.

The Harris campaign capitalized on this momentum, announcing it had raised $47 million within 24 hours of the debate—its most successful fundraising event since her campaign began.

Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, is scheduled to debate Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz on October 1 in New York.