Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance announced that he has agreed to debate Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz on October 1 for a forum hosted by CBS News. Vance also issued a challenge for Walz to participate in a debate hosted by CNN on September 18.
“The American people deserve as many debates as possible, which is why President Trump has challenged Kamala to three of them already,” Vance stated on X on Thursday. “Not only do I accept the CBS debate on October 1st, I accept the CNN debate on September 18th as well. I look forward to seeing you at both!”
Walz had previously agreed to the October 1 debate.
“Harris for President has accepted CBS’ invitation to a Vice Presidential Candidate Debate on October 1,” the campaign said in a statement obtained by Scripps News. “Governor Walz looks forward to debating JD Vance — if he shows up.”
RELATED STORY | UAW files labor practice charges over Trump’s interview with Elon Musk
Last week, Vance expressed his desire to debate Walz but wanted to wait until Walz was officially the Democratic vice presidential nominee before accepting a debate.
“CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan will serve as moderators.
The presidential candidates have agreed to one debate so far, scheduled to run on ABC News on September 10. Trump also expressed his willingness to debate Harris in events on Fox News and NBC News.
The 2024 election cycle marks the first time in decades that candidates and networks are organizing general election debates outside the purview of an independent group, such as the Commission on Presidential Debates. The Commission on Presidential Debates traditionally set the calendar for debates nearly a year in advance.
RELATED STORY | Only Democrat to debate JD Vance shares his perspective on Trump’s running mate
