Change of Heart

Trump Changes His Mind on Presidential Debates

An “obligation,” despite earlier claims they were rigged.

Republican nominee Donald Trump says he plans to participate in all three presidential debates this fall, a sharp turnaround from his claims that his opponent had “rigged” the schedule. Speaking to reporters aboard his campaign plane Monday, Trump said he intended to participate in all three debates, and that only “hurricanes, natural disaster” could change his mind. “I look forward to the debates,” he was quoted as saying Monday. “I mean, I think it’s an important element of what we’re doing. I think you have an obligation to do the debates. I did them in other cases—we had, I guess, 11 debates.” Earlier, Trump had expressed a reluctance to participate over going up against a NFL game and claims that Hillary Clinton and other Democrats had “rigged” the schedule.