Former President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he would not participate in a third debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, dismissing the idea of further engagement after their recent contentious exchange.

Harris, who expressed interest in another debate, was met with Trump's firm refusal, with the former president claiming he had already secured victory in the Tuesday night debate, as Fox News reports.

Trump initially seemed open to the idea of a second clash but ultimately rejected the proposal just two days after the first debate.

The decision marks a significant moment in the election cycle as both campaigns seek to solidify their positions before the voters.

Trump Declares Debate Victory

Trump, in his characteristic fashion, took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to proclaim his victory in the debate against Harris. He stated that public opinion polls reflected his dominance during the exchange and criticized Harris for immediately calling for a second debate. "When a prizefighter loses a fight, the first words out of his mouth are, ‘I WANT A REMATCH,’" Trump wrote, suggesting that Harris's desire for a rematch indicated her defeat.

The former president's rejection of a third debate came as a surprise to some, as his initial response had shown some lukewarm interest. However, by Thursday afternoon, Trump had unequivocally shut down the possibility of any further debates, asserting, "THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!"

Harris Pushes For More Debates

In contrast, appeared eager for a rematch, emphasizing the importance of another debate during a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Thursday. Harris noted that voters deserved the chance to hear from the candidates again. Despite her campaign's interest, Trump remained resolute, offering no room for further discussion.

Tuesday night's debate was heated, with Trump and Harris clashing over a range of issues, from the state of the economy to immigration policies. Trump not only took aim at Harris but also directed criticism at President Joe Biden, accusing the Biden-Harris administration of causing significant harm to the country through their policies.

Trump’s Criticism of Biden-Harris Administration

Throughout his rejection of another debate, Trump continued his sharp criticism of Harris and Biden, accusing them of weakening the United States. He blamed the administration for inflation and the influx of immigrants, claiming, "millions of criminals and mentally deranged people" have entered the country due to lax immigration policies.

Trump also reiterated his grievances from earlier debates, stating that these issues were thoroughly discussed in his previous encounters with both Biden and Harris. The former president has long been critical of the Biden administration’s handling of domestic and international matters.

Harris, Biden Face Debate Scrutiny

This latest debate drama comes after months of scrutiny surrounding President Biden's debate performances. In June, following a debate with Trump, Biden faced questions about his fitness for another term in office. By July 21, Biden announced the end of his re-election campaign and endorsed Harris as the Democratic Party's candidate for president.

Harris quickly secured the nomination without opposition, setting up her eventual face-off with Trump in the Tuesday night debate. During the debate, the two candidates sparred over policy and leadership, with Harris defending the administration's record while Trump continued his assault on their governance.

Polls Provide Mixed Reactions

Following the Tuesday night debate, a CNN flash poll revealed mixed reactions from viewers. While Trump confidently declared victory, the poll showed a majority of viewers believed Harris had won the debate. Despite this, Trump's campaign continued to frame the debate as a win, doubling down on his refusal to participate in another.

The debate moderators also faced criticism from Trump, who expressed dissatisfaction with how the event was conducted. Despite this, Fox News Media proposed hosting another debate, with anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum suggested as moderators. However, with Trump's outright refusal, the prospect of a third debate seems all but eliminated.

Trump's Town Hall Strategy

Trump has remained active in the media landscape, recently participating in a Fox News town hall on Sept. 4. He took the opportunity to criticize Harris once again, accusing her of being a "no-show" at other debate invitations extended by major networks like Fox, NBC, and CBS. According to Trump, Harris's absence from these events further demonstrated her reluctance to engage in meaningful discussions.

While Harris continued to press for another debate, her campaign faced the challenge of countering Trump's narrative that he had already won. Harris argued that the American people deserve more debates to hear both candidates discuss the issues at length.

Conclusion

In a decisive move, Trump ruled out any possibility of a third debate against Kamala Harris, marking a significant turning point in the election season.

Despite Harris’s calls for another round, Trump declared victory after the first debate, citing polls that supported his claim.

The heated exchanges between Trump and Harris highlighted key issues in the election, with both sides doubling down on their stances.

Whether or not Harris can sway voters without further debates remains to be seen, but for now, the stage appears set with no further head-to-head confrontations planned.