The finger-pointing continues in the 2024 presidential race, with Fox News anchor Bret Baier placing the blame for a second debate delay squarely on former President Donald Trump, not Vice President Kamala Harris.
Baier, known for his moderate stance, expressed his conviction on Hugh Hewitt’s conservative radio program that the Harris campaign would have welcomed a Fox debate if Trump hadn’t decided against it. Despite being in constant communication with both campaigns, Baier declared, “The holdup is not the Harris campaign and Fox. It is the former president.”
This statement comes in the wake of a heated exchange between Trump and Fox News, stemming from Trump’s public disapproval of the network’s coverage of the Republican primary polls. Trump even took to his Truth Social platform to express his dissatisfaction with Baier and Fox News.
Earlier this month, the first presidential debate between Trump and Harris, hosted by ABC News, garnered significant attention with Harris being perceived as the victor by many voters. Over the weekend, Harris accepted an invitation from CNN for a second debate in October, an offer promptly declined by Trump. He cited the ongoing early voting in several states and questioned CNN’s impartiality as a debate moderator.
Trump, on the other hand, had previously advocated for a Fox-hosted debate, a network known for its strong support of Republican nominees. However, he indicated a preference for one of the network’s prime-time opinion hosts to moderate the debate instead of Baier or Martha MacCallum, another prominent Fox News anchor.
The initial debate between Trump and Harris was a ratings success, attracting an audience of 67.1 million viewers, surpassing the 51.3 million viewers who tuned in for the June debate between Trump and President Joe Biden.
The delay in organizing a second debate leaves the political landscape in a state of suspense. While Harris has expressed her willingness to engage in a second debate, Trump’s refusal raises questions about his commitment to robust political discourse in the lead-up to the election. With early voting already underway in some states, the debate’s cancellation could significantly impact voter engagement and the overall trajectory of the campaign.
