TechFlow reported on September 22 that the New York Times reported that US Vice President Kamala Harris accepted CNN's invitation to participate in the second presidential debate on October 23. Harris said on social media that she "gladly" accepted the invitation and hoped that former President Trump would join. However, Trump once again rejected the proposal, claiming that "it is too late to hold a debate now" on the grounds that some states have begun early voting.

Harris' campaign team is actively promoting a second debate. Campaign spokesman Brian Fallon and campaign chair Jennifer O'Malley Dillon both issued statements supporting the decision. O'Malley Dillon emphasized: "Americans should have the opportunity to watch Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump debate again before voting. It is unprecedented in modern history to hold only one general election debate." Harris was generally considered to have performed better in the first debate on September 10, and her team has been seeking a second chance since then.