Former President Donald Trump has announced that he will hold a news conference this Thursday at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida beachfront estate. This will mark his first public appearance since Vice President Kamala Harris was officially selected as the Democratic presidential nominee and chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.

A High-Stakes Announcement

Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social network, where he expressed his eagerness to engage in a debate with Harris. The news conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT, and it is expected to set the tone for the upcoming election season.

Earlier this week, Trump hinted at a major announcement regarding the presidential debates after pulling out of an ABC News debate that was set for September 10. While he initially favored Fox News as the debate sponsor, Trump has since shown a willingness to reconsider his stance on ABC.

Debate Showdown

In his typical combative style, Trump posted on Truth Social, “I will expose Kamala during the Debate the same way I exposed Crooked Joe, Hillary, and everyone else during Debates,” referring to his past clashes with Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. “Only I think Kamala will be easier.”

Trump’s confidence heading into the debates highlights the high stakes of the upcoming presidential race, especially as he seeks to reclaim the spotlight and energize his base.

Criticism from Trump’s Running Mate

Ohio Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, has also taken aim at Harris. Vance has criticized Harris for not holding a formal news conference or sitting down for in-depth interviews since she launched her presidential campaign. While Harris has responded to questions from the press in more informal settings, such as while boarding or leaving her plane, Vance’s critique underscores the tension between the two campaigns as they vie for public support.

Looking Ahead

As the election season heats up, Trump’s return to the public stage is sure to draw significant attention. His upcoming news conference at Mar-a-Lago will likely serve as a platform for him to outline his campaign strategy and take aim at his political opponents, setting the stage for what promises to be a contentious election battle.