Fox News sends debate invitation to Trump, Harris campaigns

Fox News is inviting former President Trump and Vice President Harris to a debate hosted by and broadcast on the network this fall just weeks before the pair are expected to face off in the November presidential election.

In a letter dated Tuesday, sent to both the Trump and Harris campaigns, Fox proposed a Tuesday, Sept. 17, debate in Pennsylvania.

“We are open to discussion on the exact date, format and location — with or without an audience,” Fox executive Jay Wallace wrote in a letter to both campaigns, a copy of which was obtained by The Hill on Wednesday.

The debate would be moderated by two of Fox’s top political anchors, Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, Wallace proposed. He added that the goal of the event would be to “foster informed political dialogue” ahead of the election.

Harris is expected to be nominated by Democrats to be the party’s nominee next month after President Biden dropped out of the race over the weekend.

Biden and Trump had agreed to two debates this cycle: One last month on CNN, which sparked calls for Biden’s withdrawal from the race, and a second on ABC on Sept. 10.

Trump’s campaign has said he would debate Harris multiple times but has pushed back on a clash with the vice president hosted by ABC.

Trump in social media posts this week has signaled a preference for a debate hosted by Fox, the top-watched cable channel that boasts a prime-time lineup of pundits and commentators that are largely supportive of him.

The Hill has requested comment from the Harris campaign on Fox’s proposal.