PHILADELPHIA — Fox News is proposing a new debate between Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris that would take place in Pennsylvania on Sept. 17 if the two candidates agree to participate, according to letters sent to both campaigns obtained by The Inquirer.

“We are open to discussion on the exact date, format and location — with or without an audience,” wrote Fox News president Jay Wallace and vice president of politics Jessica Loker.

Variety was first to report the news of the proposed debate, which would be moderated by Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

This is the first election cycle since 1988 in which the nonprofit Commission on Presidential Debates hasn’t organized the events, which are being hosted this election cycle by individual TV networks.

So far there’s just been one presidential debate this election cycle — the June 24 contest on CNN between Trump and President Joe Biden that went so poorly for Biden it ultimately led him to end his reelection campaign and drop out of the race. Biden has endorsed Harris.

What is the presidential debate schedule?

A debate has been scheduled for Sept. 10 on ABC, moderated by World News Tonight anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis. But neither candidate has committed to participating in that debate.

Trump has repeatedly attacked ABC in recent days, and said in a press call earlier this week he was “not thrilled” about the network. He called on Fox News to host the debate instead.

Will there be a vice presidential debate?

That remains unclear.

A vice presidential debate had been scheduled to take place at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., on Sept. 25, but the event was canceled.

If a vice presidential debate does take place, it will pit Ohio Sen. JD Vance against whomever Harris selects as her running mate. Among the candidates reportedly being vetted are Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

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