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Trump in ‘damage control mode' after Harris debate
The Guardian
|September 12, 2024
Donald Trump's campaign was in damage control mode yesterday amid widespread dismay among supporters over a presidential debate during which Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent, repeatedly goaded him into going wildly off-message and missing apparent opportunities to tackle her on policy.
Even with Trump insisting he had won the debate - taking the unusual step of visiting the post-debate spin room to claim victory - many Republicans reacted with dismay after seeing Harris deliberately bait the former president on his weak points while he responded with visible anger.
Trump was non-committal yesterday in response to Harris's proposal for a second debate, suggesting she needed it because she had lost. "I'd be less inclined to because we had a great night. We won the debate," he told Fox and Friends. He later restated the sentiments, posting on Truth Social: "In the World of Boxing or UFC, when a Fighter gets beaten or knocked out, they get up and scream, "IDEMAND A REMATCH, IDEMAND A REMATCH!" Well, it's no different with a Debate. She was beaten badly last night. Every Poll has us WINNING, in one case, 92-8, so why would I do a Rematch?"
This story is from the September 12, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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