Trump Drops Out of ABC Debate Due to Lawsuit
- Former President Trump announced he would withdraw from the ABC debate scheduled for September 10.
- His decision comes as he is embroiled in a defamation lawsuit against the Disney-owned network.
- The move raises questions about his participation in future debates and his ongoing legal challenges.
ABC News is in a precarious position regarding its upcoming presidential debate, originally scheduled for September 10, as former President Donald Trump announced its cancellation. Trump claimed that President Biden, who was set to participate, would no longer attend, leading to the debate's termination. This announcement has sparked accusations from Vice President Kamala Harris and her supporters, who allege that Trump is avoiding the debate, despite it being a negotiated agreement between the Trump and Biden campaigns. The situation is further complicated by a recent legal victory for Trump, as a federal jury found him liable for sexual abuse in a separate case, while dismissing the rape charge. Judge Lewis Kaplan clarified that the jury's decision does not negate the broader understanding of the term "rape." This legal backdrop has intensified the scrutiny surrounding Trump's participation in the debate, which he initially agreed to in May, shortly after filing a defamation lawsuit against ABC. Adding to the tension, Trump had a contentious exchange with ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott during a recent event, where he criticized the network as "fake news." This confrontation has raised questions about the network's ability to host a debate with Trump, especially given the ongoing legal disputes and the charged political atmosphere. As the debate date approaches, ABC News is left to navigate the fallout from these developments, with uncertainty looming over whether the event will proceed as planned. Fox News Digital has reached out to ABC for further comment on the situation.