Former President Donald Trump has officially stated he will not participate in any further debates for the 2024 election, following a vice-presidential debate between his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, and Gov. Tim Walz.

Trump’s decision came as no surprise to his supporters, as he cited his strong standing in the polls and past debate performances as reasons for stepping away from additional events, as Breitbart reports.

The announcement signals Trump’s growing confidence in his campaign, despite criticisms from the Harris camp about his refusal to engage further.

Trump’s decision to bow out of future debates comes after a heated vice-presidential debate in which Vance and Walz sparred over various policy issues.

Shortly after the debate concluded, Trump took to Truth Social to mock Vice President Kamala Harris, who had called for another debate. He claimed that the request showed desperation on Harris’s part and insisted he had nothing more to prove.

Trump Cites Polling and Previous Debate Wins

In his Truth Social post, Trump stated, “Lyin’ Kamala just put out a request for another Debate because they lost so badly tonight.” This statement marked his clear dismissal of further engagements with Harris on the debate stage. Trump argued that his polling lead and previous performances were reason enough to step away from the debate circuit.

He also emphasized that votes were already being cast, making additional debates unnecessary. “I beat Biden, I then beat her, and I’m not looking to do it again, too far down the line,” Trump wrote, referring to his earlier debates with both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. His reference to past victories underscores his belief that he has already proven his capability to lead.

Debates Play Less of a Role in Voter Preferences

Trump's decision follows a string of debates, including the high-profile presidential debate against Joe Biden on June 27. The outcome of that debate led Democratic leaders to remove Biden from the 2024 ticket, replacing him with Harris, the current vice president. Despite that shift, ABC News polling indicated that these debates have had little effect on voter preferences.

Polling conducted by ABC News reported close race numbers between Harris and Trump, with Harris slightly leading among all adults and registered voters. However, the margin was narrow, with only a 1-point difference before and after the debates. This polling data reinforced Trump's argument that further debates were unlikely to move the needle in the election.

Harris Calls for More Debates, Trump Refuses

Despite the tight race, Harris's campaign pushed for another debate, a request Trump quickly shut down. In a follow-up post, Trump likened Harris’s debate request to “a fighter who lost” and demanded a rematch. He firmly reiterated his stance that there would be no more debates moving forward, positioning his campaign as focused on maintaining its lead in the polls.

Harris criticized Trump’s refusal, suggesting that it was a disservice to voters. She argued that the debates offer a vital platform for the American people to compare candidates and make informed decisions. However, Trump and his campaign have stuck to their decision, refusing to budge on the matter.

Close Polling Reflects a Competitive Race

ABC News reported that the Harris-Trump race remains close across different voter groups. Among all adults, Harris led Trump 51% to 46%, a margin that tightened slightly among likely voters, where the race was reported as 52% to 46%. These numbers, however, have remained relatively stable, showing no significant change since the debates.

Although Harris’s team hoped that another debate might sway undecided voters, Trump’s camp appears confident in their existing support base. With Trump’s decision not to debate again, the focus now shifts to voter turnout and last-minute campaign efforts.

Final Efforts As Campaigns Push Toward Election Day

Both campaigns are ramping up their final efforts as votes continue to be cast. Trump’s strategy relies heavily on his strong polling numbers and past debate performances, which his team believes have solidified his position. By refusing to engage in more debates, Trump is betting that his current lead will carry him through to Election Day.

In contrast, Harris’s campaign remains eager for additional opportunities to face Trump on the debate stage, likely in hopes of closing the polling gap. However, without Trump’s participation, it seems the remaining days of the campaign will be focused on direct voter outreach and media appearances.

Conclusion

In a pivotal moment for the 2024 presidential race, Donald Trump has announced he will not participate in any further debates.

Following the vice-presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz, Trump dismissed calls from Vice President Kamala Harris for another debate, citing strong polling numbers and his past victories.

Despite Harris’s criticism, Trump remains confident that his campaign can win without additional debates. Polling data reflects a close race, but Trump’s camp is betting that his strategy will pay off as Election Day nears.