Former President Donald Trump has made it clear that he will not be participating in a third debate this election cycle.

Trump's decision comes after a contentious debate with Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday, and despite calls from the Harris campaign for another debate, he firmly rejected the notion on Thursday, as Fox News reports.

The debate between Trump and Harris on Tuesday has sparked discussions on whether a third debate is necessary, but Trump has stated there will be no further such encounters.

Trump participated in a debate with Harris on Tuesday night, during which both candidates clashed on several issues, including immigration and inflation.

While Harris’s campaign expressed interest in another debate, Trump declared on Thursday that there would not be a third. He posted his decision on his Truth Social account, calling out Harris and President Joe Biden on various policy matters.

Trump Claims Victory in Tuesday's Debate

Following the debate, Trump asserted that he had won the night against Harris, referring to her as the “Radical Left Candidate” of the Democratic Party. He criticized both Harris and Biden for their handling of key national issues, particularly immigration and inflation, which have been central themes in his campaign.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump made it clear that he saw no need for another debate. He stated, “When a prizefighter loses a fight, the first words out of his mouth are, ‘I WANT A REMATCH.’” Trump also mentioned polling numbers, claiming they indicated that he had won the debate, although polls conducted by various media outlets showed mixed results.

Harris Pushes for Another Debate

Despite Trump's rejection, Harris and her campaign have called for a third debate, with Harris saying during a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday that “We owe it to the voters to have another debate.” This statement followed Trump’s refusal earlier that day, setting the stage for a possible ongoing debate over the need for additional forums between the two candidates.

Tuesday’s debate was marked by sharp exchanges on a number of topics, and Trump faced questions not only from Harris but also from ABC News moderators. Trump later told Fox News Digital that he felt it was his best debate performance, despite the challenging circumstances.

Polls Provide Mixed Reactions on Debate Performance

A CNN flash poll taken after Tuesday’s debate found that a majority of respondents believed Harris had come out on top. Meanwhile, a Fox News Digital focus group leaned toward Harris as the winner, though she received criticism for not directly answering questions on several major issues.

In contrast, Trump doubled down on his claims of victory, citing what he described as strong support among his base. Trump also highlighted Harris’s absence from previous debates hosted by other networks, including Fox, NBC, and CBS, as evidence that she had been reluctant to face him on a broader stage.

Trump’s Rejection of a Third Debate

By Thursday afternoon, Trump’s decision not to engage in a third debate was confirmed. He announced on Truth Social, “THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!” His comments indicated a firm position, which aligns with his view that the two debates—one against Biden and the other against Harris—had already covered enough ground on critical issues.

Trump took aim at the current administration, accusing both Harris and Biden of overseeing what he described as a significant decline in the country’s well-being. He focused on the ongoing immigration crisis and rising inflation, asserting that these were major topics during his debate appearances.

Trump Points to Previous Town Hall Performance

Trump also referenced a town hall event held on Sept. 4 on Fox News, where both he and Harris were invited to participate. Trump pointed out that Harris had declined to participate in that event, as well as in debates hosted by other major networks. He used this to bolster his argument that he had already faced enough scrutiny and that another debate was unnecessary.

The former president, in his post-debate interviews, expressed confidence in his performance, telling Fox News Digital, “It was my best debate ever, especially because it was three on one.” This statement referred to what Trump believed to be a biased moderation panel that sided with Harris during the debate.

Conclusion

In summary, the possibility of a third debate between former President Trump and Vice President Harris appears to be off the table after Trump’s firm rejection.

While Harris’s campaign has expressed interest in further discussion, Trump remains adamant that there will be no further debates.

Both candidates faced scrutiny following Tuesday’s debate, with polls offering mixed views on who emerged victorious.

For now, Trump is standing by his decision, citing a satisfactory performance in both his debates against Biden and Harris.