Election 2024 updates: Harris interviewing top VP contenders Sunday, source says

Sen. JD Vance, running mate to former President Donald Trump, said over the weekend that Kamala Harris moving to the top of the Democratic ticket was a "sucker punch," according to the Washington Post.

"All of us were hit with a little bit of a political sucker punch," Vance said to donors over the weekend in Minnesota, per an audio recording the paper said it had obtained. "The bad news is that Kamala Harris does not have the same baggage as Joe Biden, because whatever we might have to say, Kamala is a lot younger. And Kamala Harris is obviously not struggling in the same ways that Joe Biden did."

When asked about the report and Vance's "sucker punch" comment, a spokesperson for the vice presidential contender took aim at Harris.

"Poll after poll shows President Trump leading Kamala Harris as voters become aware of her weak, failed and dangerously liberal agenda. Her far-left ideas are even more radioactive than Joe Biden, particularly in the key swing states that will decide this election like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin," Vance spokesperson William Martin said in a statement.

-ABC News' Hannah Demissie

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statement on Monday night signaling that he's removed himself from contention as a vice presidential running mate for presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

"I strongly support Vice President Harris' campaign for President. I know she's going to win and I was honored to be considered for this role. This just wasn't the right time for North Carolina and for me to potentially be on a national ticket," he said in a post on X.

"As l've said from the beginning, she has an outstanding list of people from which to choose, and we'll all work to make sure she wins," he added.

Former President Donald Trump seems to be one step closer to formally agreeing to debate his opponent for the presidency, Vice President Kamala Harris.

During an interview on "The Ingraham Angle" Monday night, Trump told the Fox News host that he will "probably end up debating" Harris. In his remarks, though, he also appeared to downplay the necessity of debates.

"I want to do a debate, but I also can say this. Everybody knows who I am. And now people know who she is," he said.

"If you're going to have a debate, you gotta do it, I think, before the votes are cast. I think it's very important that you do that. So, the answer is yes, but I can also make a case for not doing it."

A short while later, a spokesperson for Harris' campaign issued a statement on Trump's comments on Fox, insisting that the vice president will be at the next debate no matter what.

"Why won’t Donald Trump give a straight answer on debating Vice President Harris? It’s clear from tonight’s question-dodging: he's scared he’ll have to defend his running mate’s weird attacks on women, or his own calls to end elections in America in a debate against the vice president. Vice President Harris will be on the debate stage September 10th. Donald Trump can show up, or not."

-ABC News' Lalee Ibassa and Gabriella Abdul-Hakim

Rapper Megan thee Stallion will give a special performance at Vice President Kamala Harris' rally in Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday, a source familiar confirmed to ABC News.

In addition to Megan thee Stallion, Georgia Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and former Rep. Stacey Abrams will be in attendance, supporting Harris' 2024 presidential bid.

The news was first reported by Billboard.

-ABC News' Gabriella Abdul-hakim