Trump Suggests Debate with Harris Despite Legal Issues with ABC News

Former President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday that ongoing legal disputes with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos would not prevent him from debating Vice President Kamala Harris on the Disney-owned network. Trump expressed skepticism about Harris's debating skills, labeling her as "sort of a nasty person" but stated, "we’ll see because we’ll be debating her, I guess, in the pretty near future." His comments raised eyebrows among the co-hosts of "FOX & Friends," especially since Trump has already committed to a debate with Harris on Fox News. The former president's legal battle stems from a defamation lawsuit against ABC, which recently faced a setback when a court denied its motion to dismiss the case. Trump’s co-host Brian Kilmeade questioned how Trump could participate in an ABC debate while embroiled in litigation against its prominent figure, Stephanopoulos. Trump acknowledged the complexities of the situation, suggesting that while he is willing to debate, Harris may not share the same enthusiasm. The upcoming debate, scheduled for September 10, is set to be moderated by ABC's David Muir and Linsey Davis, who will remain in place if Trump and Harris agree to participate. Trump accused Harris of trying to avoid the debate, asserting that he is ready to engage with her. The lawsuit against Stephanopoulos originated from comments made during a tense exchange on "This Week," where he referenced Trump’s legal troubles related to accusations from E. Jean Carroll.