Trump Declines Third Debate Amid Polls Favoring Harris

Donald Trump has declined a third presidential debate against Democratic rival Kamala Harris, citing favorable polls for her. Despite Trump's confidence in his performance, several surveys and advisers indicated that Harris outshone him. The debate, watched by 67.1 million, has polarized opinions on its necessity.

Sept 12 (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he would not participate in another presidential debate against Democratic rival Kamala Harris ahead of the upcoming Nov. 5 election. Trump's decision follows several polls indicating Harris outperformed him in the recent debates.

Trump's announcement was made on the social media platform Truth Social, where he emphatically declared, 'THERE WILL BE NO THIRD DEBATE!' The decision came after he participated in debates against President Joe Biden in June and Vice President Harris earlier this week. Trump claimed victory in these debates despite dissent from his own advisers.

Polling data revealed a divided audience. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 53% of respondents felt Harris won the recent debate, while 24% sided with Trump. Additionally, a CNN flash poll indicated Harris's superior performance among viewers. The significant viewership of 67.1 million people underscores the heightened public interest in these political showdowns.

(With inputs from agencies.)