Trump’s debate demands expose 'fears of embarrassment': analysis

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has made it clear that she looks forward to debating her GOP rival, Donald Trump, on ABC News on September 10.

But Trump is refusing to debate Harris on ABC that day, saying that instead, they should have a debate hosted by Fox News.

In a biting opinion column published on August 6 — the day Harris officially announced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate — MSNBC's Zeeshan Aleem argues that Trump's debate demands underscore his anxiety over Harris' campaign and his "fears of embarrassment."

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"Vice President Kamala Harris, the de facto Democratic presidential nominee, plans to appear at the initially scheduled place and time — September 10 on ABC — regardless of whether or not Trump shows," Aleem explains. "It's a smart move that'll help lay bare both Trump's self-doubt, and his lack of interest in anything civic-minded that doesn't help him…. The debate, he says, should be held on Trump-worshipping turf at Fox News, and it should take place before a 'full arena audience.'"

Aleem continues, "Trump's new debate terms give the game away. Now that he fears embarrassment against an energetic new candidate who can communicate far more effectively than her predecessor, he wants to rig the environment with moderators and audience members who are far more likely to make him look more competent, reasonable and well-liked than his opposition."

The MSNBC columnist stresses that if Trump doesn't show up on September 10 and Harris does, it will be a "win-win scenario" for the vice president.

"If Trump doesn’t show up," Aleem notes, "she'll get a sizable — albeit most likely more modest — prime-time audience and an opportunity to speak at length with the American people about her background, her policies and her vision of the future. Moreover, Trump's non-appearance will generate countless headlines making him look cowardly."

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Zeeshan Aleem's full MSNBC column is available at this link.