Analysis: Why Trump ditched a debate rematch with Harris

 The great showman just turned his back on tens of millions of viewers.

Donald Trump’s refusal to take part in another presidential debate with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris marks a significant moment in the 2024 campaign — and hints at vulnerability for a political career built on the foundation of his television fame and mastery of stagecraft.

The ex-president said he doesn’t need a rematch because he won the debate, despite overwhelming reviews saying he bombed against a vice president who outdid a former reality star.

But there’s an alternative possible explanation: that Trump — who usually can’t resist a chance to dominate the small screen — doesn’t relish a repeat of a showdown in which he was unprepared and unfocused and squandered his best chance to take down his opponent in a cliffhanger election.

He might be right to mitigate the risk: polls show he’s in a dead heat with Harris in a race where the fundamentals on top voter priorities like the economy and immigration may favor him.

Harris said she and her opponent owed it to voters to debate again. Trump’s move opened the way for her team to boast that he is scared to debate her and to boost a performance in which she mocked and rebuked an ill-tempered ex-president with a swagger and a smile.

The Republican nominee often changes his mind. But his announcement that there wouldn’t be another debate seemed more adamant than many of his previous statements.