Trump will refuse to participate in third debate after being defeated by Harris in second debate

Former US President Donald Trump has firmly rejected any possibility of a third presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris before the November election. Following their Philadelphia debate, Trump defended his performance to reporters, claiming the ABC moderators were “very unfair” and that it was “three-on-one” during the debate. The next day on Fox News, Trump said he didn’t know if he wanted to participate in another debate as he continued to claim he had “won.”

Instant polls from the initial debate show a mixed outcome. While Trump claims victory, several snap polls indicated that Harris outperformed her Republican opponent, a result that has fueled the ongoing debate about whether another face-off is necessary.

Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who endorsed Trump after suspending his own bid, said on Fox News that while Trump won the debate on “substance,” Harris “clearly won the debate in terms of her delivery, her polish, her organization and her preparation.”

Prediction Markets React to Debate Cancellation

In response to Trump’s decision, prediction markets have taken a hit, with traders lowering their bets on a third debate. On Polymarket, the odds of another debate dropped to just 28%. Should Trump and Harris refrain from another encounter, this election cycle could witness the fewest debates since 2020 and 1996.

The former President used a post on TRUTH Social to publicly declare “NO THIRD DEBATE!” This comes after his recent debate with Harris, and his prior encounter with President Biden in June. Harris, however, was quick to respond, telling a rally in North Carolina that voters deserve another opportunity to see the candidates on stage, emphasising the high stakes of the election.

Trump, on the other hand, believes the polls clearly show that he won the first debate, dismissing Harris' call for a second showdown. He advised Harris to focus on what she should have done during her vice-presidency, adding that she missed opportunities in her time in office.

Polls Show Divided Voter Sentiment

An Ipsos poll reported that 53% of voters felt Harris won the first debate, with only 24% siding with Trump. Despite this, public opinion is split on the need for another debate. Data shows 54% of voters believe one debate is sufficient, while 46% are in favour of more debates.

According to Polymarket, Harris currently holds a slim 50% lead in election betting markets, with Trump trailing closely at 49%. This represents a shift from the evenly split sentiment following the second debate. In terms of the popular vote, 75% of traders are betting on Harris, leaving Trump with the remaining 25%.

related reading：Trump proposes lowering corporate tax rate to 15%, contrary to Harris' stance on tax increase

Crypto Absent From Debate Agenda

Although the debate covered several major topics, including abortion rights and the war in Ukraine, cryptocurrency was notably absent from the discussion. This comes despite crypto being a major issue in the 2024 race, with crypto companies having spent over $119 million this year, primarily funding political action committees like Fairshake PAC.

Trump has been outspoken in his support for the crypto sector. He has promised to end regulatory crackdowns and backs his running mate, crypto-friendly J.D. Vance. Trump also intends to advocate for Bitcoin miners and promote a more permissive regulatory environment for the industry.

Moreover, the former President recently launched his family's new crypto venture, World Liberty Financial. In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Trump outlined the venture's aim to provide a modern alternative to traditional banks.

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