Philadelphia

US former president Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was 'less inclined' to participate in another debate with VP Kamala Harris, claiming he "won the debate".

Advertisment

"Well, I’d be less inclined to because we had a great night. We won the debate," Trump said.

Buoyed by her performance in the first presidential debate, Kamala Harris's campaign earlier announced that the US Vice President was raring to go for another sparring exercise with rival Donald Trump. 

Harris campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon released a statement after the debate and asked if Trump was ready to have a second debate with the Democrat leader. 

Advertisment

“Under the bright lights, the American people got to see the choice they will face this fall at the ballot box: between moving forward with Kamala Harris or going backwards with Trump,” said Dillon. 

“That’s what they saw tonight and what they should see at a second debate in October. Vice President Harris is ready for a second debate. Is Donald Trump?”

It was not clear if Trump was up for another debate but Chris LaCivita, a Trump campaign adviser, responded to the news with a brief statement. 

Advertisment

“Of course,” he wrote. “They need clean up.”

Watch | US Presidential Debate 2024: Presidential contenders debate ahead of November 5 election

Prior to Tuesday's debate, moderated by ABC News, most reports stated that it was perhaps the first and only time the two presidential candidates would square off against each other. However, after the debate ended on an even keel with Harris finally explaining some of her policy decisions, it appears that her campaign wants to ride the wave. 

According to US media reports, the next debate could be held in October with conservative media outlet, Fox News, proposing to hold the event. CNN had organised the first debate between Joe Biden and Trump in June where the former was eviscerated by the Republican leader. 

Trump-Harris debate

The presidential debate between Harris and Trump saw both leaders exchange characteristic blows, verbal jabs and few zingers. 

While Harris managed to hold her own in her first presidential debate, Trump looked more confident on the economy as well as foreign policy. However, he was fact-checked thrice by ABC News moderators during the debate for perpetuating half-baked stories.

Also read | Trump vs Harris debate: Highlights, top moments from the historic US presidential debate

Addressing the media after the debate, Trump alleged that the moderators were working against him. Taking to Truth Social, Trump said this was his "best debate ever" since it was "THREE ON ONE".

Heading into the debate, Trump was leading Harris by a 48-47 margin, according to a national poll of likely voters by The New York Times and Siena College. 

(With inputs from agencies)