Trump refuses to commit to any debates until after Kamala Harris is nominated at convention

WASHINGTON - Former President Donald Trump is refusing to commit to any general election debates until after Democrats decide on their nominee at the convention next month, his campaign said in a statement.

“Given the continued political chaos surrounding Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrat Party, general election debate details cannot be finalized until Democrats formally decide on their nominee,” said Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign communication director.

“There is a strong sense by many in the Democrat Party - namely Barack Hussein Obama - that Kamala Harris is a Marxist fraud who cannot beat President Trump, and they are still holding out for someone ‘better.’ Therefore, it would be inappropriate to schedule things with Harris because Democrats very well could still change their minds,” the campaign said.

However, Vice President Kamala Harris has exceeded the number of delegates needed to be the Democratic nominee a few days after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her.

She’s also received support from a number of Democratic lawmakers and governors, and been endorsed by former President Barack Obama Friday morning.

Trump had previously agreed to three debates with Biden before the president exited the race. Harris said Thursday she is ready to debate Trump, and accused him of backpedaling.

“I have agreed to the previously agreed upon Sept. 10 debate. He agreed to that previously. Now, it appears he is backpedaling but I'm ready,” she said.

Contributing: Rebecca Morin, David Jackson and J. Staas Haught

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump refuses to commit to any debates until after Harris is nominated