Harris commits to Sept 10 debate and says she's 'ready' to face Trump

Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday committed to debating former President Donald Trump this September if she becomes the Democratic Party's official presidential nominee next month.

Harris became the party's presumptive nominee on Monday night, after delegates rallied around her following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race. Biden endorsed Harris, but other challengers can emerge until Saturday night.

The vice president said she will participate in the Sept. 10 debate, which was agreed upon by Biden and Trump before the president's departure. The debate will be moderated by ABC News.

"I'm ready to debate Donald Trump. I have agreed to the previously agreed upon Sept. 10 debate. He agreed to that previously. Now it appears he's backpedaling," Harris told reporters at Joint Base Andrews, CBS News reported. "But I'm ready. And I think the voters deserve to see the split-screen that exists in this race on a debate stage. And so I'm ready."

Trump agreed to debate Harris earlier this week, but has pushed for the debate to move to Fox News, claiming that ABC is biased against him. 

"I want to debate her and she will be no different because they have the same policies," Trump said. “I think if you’re in the Democratic nominee or Republican nominee, you really have an obligation to debate."

Fox News Media invited Trump and Harris to participate in a debate in Pennsylvania on Sept. 17, but neither presidential hopeful has accepted the invitation so far. Presidential candidates historically took part in three debates each election, which were organized by a specific commission. However, this cycle's debates were all pitched and organized by various news outlets.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.