After Kamala Harris accused Donald Trump of "backpedaling" from a presidential debate with her in September, the Democratic National Committee's latest advertising campaign, which was launched on Friday, mocked Trump for not committing to the debate.


The former US President, Trump, had refused to finalise the plans for a debate Harris until she was formally nominated by the Democrats. Harris, on the other hand, said that she was ready to debate him.


According to a report by news agency Reuters, the DNC has purchased large ads, dominating the digital homepages of major local newspapers in the states where Trump is scheduled to campaign in the upcoming weeks.


The ads say "the convicted felon is afraid to debate" and question whether the reason behind this is due to his take on abortion.


Posted ahead of Trump's visit to Georgia's capital on Saturday, the first ads are running on the Atlanta Journal Constitution's homepage. The DNC said that the ad campaign will follow him via local news outlets at each of his rally stops.


In the June 27 debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, the former emerged as a clear winner. Biden's faltering performance in the debate sparked voters' deep concerns about his old age.


Subsequently, the two had agreed to a second debate on Sept. 10.


After Biden dropped out of the race on July 21 and backed Harris, Trump had said that he would not debate her because she was not the official candidate. adding that former President Barack Obama had yet to endorse her. A day later, Obama endorsed Harris.


Trump has also suggested that the September 10 debate on ABC News should instead be held on Fox News.


'I can, But I Can Also Make A Case For Not Doing It': Trump


In a phone call with reporters last week, Trump said that he wants to debate Harris. Thereafter, in an interview on Monday, he said yes to the debate, adding "but I can also make a case for not doing it". 


Since then, Harris latched to this issue, making it her rallying cry. At a campaign rally on Tuesday, Harris had urged Trump to think again.


"I do hope you’ll reconsider. Meet me on the debate stage ... because as the saying goes, if you’ve got something to say, say it to my face," Harris said.


On August 2, Trump stated that he didn't need to debate Harris, since he was leading in the polls and voters knew where his and his Democratic rival's stance on issues.

“Well, I want to. Right now I say, ‘Why should I do a debate?’ I’m leading in the polls, and everybody knows her, everybody knows me," he said.