JD Vance finally commits to two VP debates with CBS and CNN against Tim Walz

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Republican candidate initially refused to commit to a debate yesterday after CBS News sent the two vice presidential candidates four suggested dates and Walz defiantly responded with: “See you on October 1.” Hours later, on Thursday morning, Vance confirmed he had since accepted the CBS News debate on October 1 and also an additional debate with CNN on September 18. The Republican candidate said that he “strongly suspected” he would attend but claimed he first wanted assurances from CBS News on the debate format before committing to what he described as “a fake news media garbage debate.” “We want to actually look at the debates, look at the moderators, talk about the rules a little bit. Governor Walz looks forward to debating JD Vance – if he shows up.” Vance’s initial reluctance to commit to a debate comes after Trump previously refused to commit to debating Harris – before ultimately agreeing, while throwing an additional Fox News event into the mix. “The Debate was previously scheduled against Sleepy Joe Biden on ABC, but has been terminated in that Biden will no longer be a participant, and I am in litigation against ABC Network and George Slopadopoulos, thereby creating a conflict of interest.” The Harris campaign refused to accept the Fox debate and accused Trump of “running scared.” “Donald Trump is running scared and trying to back out of the debate he already agreed to and running straight to Fox News to bail him out,” the campaign said.