New Harris Campaign Ad Taunts Trump For Delay of Game on 2nd Debate During Georgia vs. Alabama Game
Ad Will Air Nationally During Georgia Bulldogs vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Game, Which Trump is Attending, With Banner Flying Over Bryant-Denny Stadium: “Trump’s Punting on 2nd Debate”
Ad Comes Amid Growing GOP Calls for Trump To Do Second Debate, While Some on Trump Team Urge Him to Debate Again
“Winners Never Back Down From A Challenge… But Losers, They Whine and Waffle And Take Their Ball Home,” Ad Says
During tonight’s primetime top-5 matchup between Georgia and Alabama that Trump is set to attend, the Harris campaign will run “Say It To My Face,” a new ad to remind Americans how Trump continues to punt on Vice President Harris’ challenge to join her for the second presidential debate on October 23 on CNN. The ad will run nationally during tonight’s game. In addition to the television ad, a plane will fly above Bryant-Denny stadium reminding attendees, including Trump, of the facts: “Trump’s Punting on 2nd Debate.”
“Say It To My Face” goads Trump and reminds voters Trump is dodging a second debate despite his promise to show up “any time, any place.”
Trump is under growing pressure to commit to a second debate as the overwhelming majority of GOP voters, and even Trump’s closest allies, believe he should commit to a second debate to redeem himself after failing to articulate a coherent vision during the first debate. New reporting shows that Trump himself is reconsidering his strategy of walking away from the debate – even though his own team doesn’t trust him.
Kellyanne Conway: Privately pushing him to do another debate.
Sen. Lindsey Graham: “I personally hope he debates again.”
Sen. Rick Scott: “I think it would be an opportunity. If I was in Trump’s position, I would.”
Sen. Thom Tillis: Said a second debate could be beneficial.
Former Trump adviser Steve Cortes: “I don’t think we should skip an opportunity to speak in front of a super large audience of Americans.”
Trump donor Dan Eberhart: Said he wants to see Trump take part in a second debate.
Former Rep. Carlos Curbelo: “I think Trump could probably use a second debate.”
“Donald Trump walked off the stage at the first debate angry and rattled after he failed to offer any coherent vision for where he wants to take this country, so now he’s trying to take his ball and go home. No matter where Trump looks tonight – whether it’s up in the sky or at the TV in his luxury box – he won’t be able to escape the truth: Trump is running away from a second debate with Vice President Harris because he doesn’t want the American people to see just how weak and unpopular he and his Project 2025 agenda are,” said Harris-Walz Communications Director Michael Tyler. “But winners don’t back down from a challenge. Under the bright lights of the debate stage, the voters deserve to see the choice they will face at the ballot box between moving forward with Vice President Harris or moving backward with Donald Trump. Vice President Harris is going to be in Atlanta on October 23 ready to lay out her case for the American people – Donald Trump needs to step up and do the same.”
Sports continue to be a critical avenue for voters to drive home the stakes of this election, including with this morning’s launch of Athletes for Harris, captained by co-chairs Thomas Booker, Magic Johnson, Billie Jean King, Steve Kerr, Ali Krieger, Candace Parker, Doc Rivers, Dawn Staley, Ali Truwit and Chris Paul. Athletes for Harris launches alongside a joint endorsement from 15 NFL Hall of Famers including Emmitt Smith, Calvin Johnson, and Mel Blount.
WATCH
NARRATOR: Winners never back down from a challenge. Champions know it’s any time, any place.
But losers, they whine and waffle and take their ball home.
RACHEL SCOTT, ABC NEWS: Trump now refusing to debate a second time.
FORMER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN CHARLIE DENT: He did terribly in the last debate. He’s so easily triggered by Kamala Harris.
VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: Well, Donald, I do hope you’ll reconsider to meet me on the debate stage.
If you’ve got something to say, say it to my face.
I’m Kamala Harris, and I approve this message.