Trump to Hold Press Conference at Mar-a-Lago

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has announced a news conference scheduled for Thursday at his Mar-a-Lago estate, marking his first public appearance since Vice President Kamala Harris was named the Democratic presidential nominee. Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, intensifying the political landscape as the 2024 election approaches. Trump shared the event details on his Truth Social platform, expressing eagerness to debate Harris. In his announcement, Trump hinted at a potential debate with Harris, having previously withdrawn from an ABC News debate set for September 10. He indicated a preference for Fox News to host the debate but showed openness to reconsidering ABC as a venue. Trump stated, “I will expose Kamala during the Debate the same way I exposed Crooked Joe, Hillary, and everyone else during Debates,” suggesting he believes Harris may be an easier opponent to challenge. Trump's running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, has criticized Harris for her lack of press engagement, noting that she has not held a news conference or participated in interviews since Biden stepped back from his reelection campaign. Instead, Harris has primarily responded to questions from reporters while boarding or disembarking from her campaign plane, raising concerns about her visibility and accountability as a candidate. As the political climate heats up, Trump's upcoming news conference is anticipated to draw significant attention, potentially setting the stage for a contentious debate season ahead.