Fox News Proposes 2nd Harris-Trump Debate in October

People watch the presidential debate between Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, at a watch party at the Slate bar and lounge in New York City on Sept. 10, 2024. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

Fox News has offered to host a second presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in October, the television network confirmed on Sept. 10.

The network sent a letter to the Harris and Trump campaigns offering to host a 90-minute debate moderated by anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, stating that they would be the best choices for the proposed event, Fox News reported.

The offer from Fox News was announced just moments after Harris and Trump wrapped up their first presidential debate on Sept. 10 in Philadelphia.

During that debate, broadcast by ABC News, the Republican and Democratic nominees repeatedly clashed as they addressed key issues such as the economy, energy, abortion, immigration, and foreign policy, including the war in Ukraine.

“Now that the first debate is underway between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, FOX News Media is re-upping its proposal,” FOX News Media’s President Jay Wallace and Vice President of Politics Jessica Loker wrote in the letter, according to the publication.

“As the Harris Campaign has stated, the American people will have another opportunity to see both on stage in October,” the letter continued.

Wallace and Loker proposed three potential dates and locations for the debate: Oct. 9 in Arizona, Oct. 15 in Georgia, and Oct. 16 in North Carolina.

Fox News had previously proposed in May to host a debate between Trump and Harris, sending letters out to both campaigns.

While Trump had agreed to that debate, Harris said both she and her Republican rival had already agreed to the ABC News debate.

Within moments of Tuesday’s debate concluding, Harris’s campaign chair, Jen O'Malley Dillon, said that the vice president was ready for a second debate.

Harris Wants a Rematch: Trump

Speaking to Fox News in an interview after the debate, Trump said it was “our best debate ever” and that he would consider a second debate with Harris.

Trump also said Harris is pushing for a second debate because she lost and “wants a rematch.”

Asked by Fox News host Sean Hannity if he would be inclined to face off with Harris again, Trump said, “Maybe if it was on a fair network, I would do that.”

In their letter, Wallace and Loker said candidates would stand behind podiums without any props or prewritten notes, and a coin flip would determine podium placement and the order of closing statements if the network hosted the second debate.

“In recognition of FOX News Media’s capabilities and reputation, we cordially extend an invitation to all concerned parties to discuss our proposal,” they concluded. “We appreciate your consideration and look forward to the opportunity to foster informed political dialogue at this pivotal moment for our nation.”

The Epoch Times contacted a spokesperson for the Harris and Trump campaigns for further comment.