Tuesday night’s vice-presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz had all the makings of a political thriller. It was the battle of the midwesterners, with Vance, the sharp-tongued senator from Ohio, taking on Walz, the seemingly underprepared governor from Minnesota. As the clock ticked, it became clear who was winning the bout.
From the outset, Vance seemed to have Walz in a corner. The senator came armed with pointed facts, delivering them with a calm but cutting precision. Walz, on the other hand, fumbled through responses and often looked like a deer in the headlights.
At one point, Vance pointed out a glaring misstep in Walz’s economic plan, leaving the governor visibly flustered. The optics were clear: Vance was in control, and Walz was grasping for answers.
Former President Donald Trump made his future debate plans crystal clear after Tuesday night’s vice presidential debate…
“Lyin’ Kamala just put out a request for another Debate because they lost so badly tonight,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Again, it’s like the fighter who lost, gets up and says, “I WANT A REMATCH.” I beat Biden, I then beat her, and I’m not looking to do it again, too far down the line. Votes are already cast – And I’m leading BIG in the Polls. I’ll MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, she’s incapable of it!” [Source: Breitbart]
As the dust settled on the vice-presidential stage, the man watching closely from Mar-a-Lago wasted no time making headlines of his own. Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social, cementing what many had already suspected: his debating days are over. “Lyin’ Kamala just put out a request for another debate because they lost so badly tonight,” Trump crowed, reinforcing his decision to sit out any future debates.
Trump’s rationale? Simple. He doesn’t need the stage. “I beat Biden, I then beat her, and I’m not looking to do it again,” he said, with the kind of finality that has become his trademark. According to Trump, the voters are already on his side, and he’s not interested in a rerun when the polls show him ahead. Why risk it?
But this isn’t the first time Trump has squared off against Vice President Kamala Harris. Their September debate on ABC News was billed as a defining moment for both campaigns, especially after Biden’s shaky performance a few months earlier. Yet despite all the hype, the result was more fizzle than fire.
ABC News itself admitted that the debate did little to sway voters one way or another. Polls before and after the debate showed nearly identical numbers, with Harris holding a slight edge over Trump. But for Trump, that edge isn’t enough to justify more debates. As he sees it, he’s already won, and there’s no point in giving Harris a second chance to pull a surprise punch.
Trump’s refusal to engage in further debates is part of his larger strategy. Why waste time when he believes his message is already resonating with the American people? “Votes are already cast – and I’m leading BIG in the Polls,” he boasted. It’s a message his supporters are happy to echo, convinced that their candidate doesn’t need to defend himself on a debate stage.
The narrative Trump has built is clear: he’s the man with a plan, and he’s been here before. Harris, meanwhile, is painted as a less capable candidate trying to drag Trump into another fight for a rematch he doesn’t need.
Of course, Harris and her campaign team don’t see it that way. They’ve been pushing for another debate, claiming the American people deserve to see their candidates side by side once again. But according to Trump, that’s just a sign of desperation. “It’s like the fighter who lost, gets up and says, ‘I WANT A REMATCH,’” he quipped.
Trump’s team has reportedly been in discussions with the debate commission but refuses to budge on their terms. Harris, on the other hand, appears to be hoping that a second debate could move the needle. For now, though, it seems Trump has the final say, and his word is no.
The debate may not have shifted the political landscape much, but the polls still tell a story. ABC News reported that Harris leads Trump by a narrow margin, with a 51-46% split among likely voters. It’s close enough to keep both sides on their toes, but not significant enough to push Trump back into debate mode.
In the end, it may not be a debate that determines the outcome of this race. Instead, it’s Trump’s confidence—some might say overconfidence—that’s carrying his campaign forward. He’s banking on his base to stay loyal and on the undecideds to break his way. And for now, it seems to be working.
Meanwhile, Vance’s strong showing in his debate against Walz only bolsters Trump’s strategy. The Ohio senator delivered a knockout performance, making Walz look out of his depth. If Vance can keep the momentum going, it bodes well for Trump’s ticket. After all, Trump doesn’t need to debate when he’s got a running mate who can do the talking for him.
For Harris, the road ahead looks tougher. She may have narrowly won the polls, but without another debate to showcase her platform, she could struggle to gain the traction needed to pull ahead of Trump and his no-nonsense campaign. As it stands, the Trump-Vance duo is in control of the narrative—and they’re not looking to change it anytime soon.
Author: Kit Fargo
