The Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has proposed to participate in a debate against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, scheduled to take place on Fox News on September 4. However, this suggestion comes after Harris’s campaign criticized Trump for trying to withdraw from a debate that had originally been planned with ABC.

In a social media post, Trump stated that the rules for the debate would be the same as those used in the first debate with President Joe Biden, who has since withdrawn from seeking re-election. This time, the debate is set to occur in front of a “full audience” in the strategically significant state of Pennsylvania.

Michael Tyler, the communications director for the Harris campaign, said on Saturday: “Donald Trump is running scared and trying to back out of the debate he already agreed to, and is running straight to Fox News to save himself.” He added: “He needs to stop playing games and show up for the debate he has already committed to on September 10.”

Trump’s suggestion came shortly after the Democratic National Committee (DNC) launched an advertising campaign mocking Trump for being “a convicted felon too afraid to debate,” questioning whether his reluctance is related to his stance on abortion.

Tyler continued: “The Vice President will be there one way or another to have the opportunity to speak to a national audience in prime time,” implying that she would show up if Trump does not. “We are eager to discuss further debates after the one both campaigns have already agreed upon.”

Following Biden’s withdrawal from the race on July 21, during which he endorsed Harris, Trump has stated that he would not debate her, claiming she is not the official candidate. Harris, who secured the necessary delegate votes last month to cement her Democratic nomination, has previously indicated that she is “ready” after Fox News suggested a presidential debate between the two candidates on September 17.

Recent opinion polls indicate a close race between Harris and Trump, contrasting with Trump’s earlier significant lead over Biden after the first debate.