However, he "can also make a case for not," so he "probably" will debate Kamala Harris, according to Donald Trump.

On Monday, Donald Trump appeared to renege on his earlier promise to spar with Vice President Kamala Harris. He questioned the purpose of the meeting and stated that while he "may" dispute, he "can also make a case for not doing it."

In a Monday night interview with Fox News Channel, Trump was asked multiple times if he would agree to debate Harris before providing a less firm response than he had in the past few days.

After months of implying that Joe Biden was not mentally prepared for the matchup — or the presidency — the former president, a Republican, had been keen to debate the Democratic contender. However, since Biden withdrew from the campaign and Harris emerged as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president, Trump has been contesting the parameters of the initial debate that he and Biden had agreed upon. Calling ABC "fake news," he has proposed that the discussion scheduled for September 10 on the network be shifted to another venue.

Trump was asked if he would commit to seeing Harris at least once during a phone conversation with reporters last week. He answered, "Oh certainly, without a doubt. I'd want to," she replied, adding that debating was required.

During Monday's conversation, host Laura Ingraham kept pressing Trump about whether or not he would agree to a debate.

"I would like to have a debate. I can also say this, though. I am well known to all. And now that people are aware of her identity, Trump remarked.

"Yes, I will definitely end up debating," was Trump's final statement.

"The answer is yes, but I can also make a case for not doing it," he continued after a minute, stating that all discussions must take place before early voting in each state.

Trump has previously avoided debates, missing all of the Republican primary in 2024. After stating that the time was too early and then raising concerns about the location of another debate, he first declined to take part before finally announcing that he would not be taking part in any of them.

In the interview conducted on Monday, the Republican contender also attempted to elucidate remarks he made the previous week at a conservative gathering, during which he informed a Christian audience that, should he win, they "won't have to vote anymore."

E asked Christians, w ho he asserts don't cast many ballots, to cast their ballots "just this once," promising that they wouldn't have to do so in the future.

He assured me that everything would be alright in four years. "My beautiful Christians, you won't have to vote anymore," he declared.

"You don't have to vote again in four years," he said a few moments later. We'll get it fixed so well that you won't have to cast a ballot.

Democrats and others expressed concern over Trump's remarks, pointing out his history of using authoritarian language, his prior declaration that he would only become dictator on "day one," and his actions following his loss in the 2020 presidential contest, where he refused to recognize the outcome and actively worked to have it overturned.

Ingraham pushed Trump to clarify his remarks after his campaign and supporters offered a variety of justifications.

I'm explaining to them why they don't vote. You don't cast a ballot. Please cast your ballot this time. I will put the nation in order. Voting will be optional for you. Trump declared, "I won't need your vote."

Is he saying that since he will only be in government for four years, Christians won't need to vote for him? queried Ingraham.

Ingraham interrupted Trump mid-answer to rephrase her question regarding the voting patterns of Christians and gun owners.

Regarding the future, don't worry. Vote, please. November 5th is election day. You are free to stop worrying about voting after that. I don't care because things will work out, the nation will be fixed, and we will have so much love that we won't even require your vote. It's acceptable to stop voting if you so choose, according to Trump.

Trump bemoaned the low voting percentages among Christians and urged them to cast ballots during a similar rally last month that was geared toward Christians.

"You don't have to vote in four years, okay? Don't vote for four years. He remarked, "I don't care."