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Election 2024 updates: Obama endorses Harris

Last Updated: July 26, 2024, 1:04 PM EDT

Vice President Kamala Harris, who now has an endorsement from former President Barack Obama, is heading into the weekend in what has been a whirlwind week in the presidential race.

On Thursday night, Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and took the lead in addressing the public about their discussions.

Harris has secured commitments from enough delegates to become the presumptive nominee if they all honor their commitment when voting, according to ABC News reporting.

9 hours and 20 minutes ago

Obama endorses VP Kamala Harris to be 2024 Democratic nominee

Former President Barack Obama officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday to be the Democratic Party’s 2024 nominee, saying in a statement that she "has the vision, the character, and the strength that this critical moment demands."

"There is no doubt in our mind that Kamala Harris has exactly what it takes to win this election and deliver for the American people. At a time when the stakes have never been higher, she gives us all reason to hope," he added.

Obama was one of the only high-profile Democrats who had yet to endorse Harris.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Barack Obama attend an event to mark the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House, Apr. 5, 2022, in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

-ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler

9:39 PM EDT

Trump campaign walks back committing to final debate

Former President Donald Trump's campaign is now claiming that it cannot commit to general election debate details until Democrats formally decide on a nominee.

"Given the continued political chaos surrounding Crooked Joe Biden and the Democrat Party, general election debate details cannot be finalized until Democrats formally decide on their nominee," Trump Campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Cheung's said Dems "are still holding out for someone 'better.' Therefore, it would be inappropriate to schedule things with Harris because Democrats very well could still change their minds."

Vice President Kamala Harris quickly responded on X, "What happened to 'any time, any place?'"

Trump previously committed to ABC News' debate on Sept. 10, along with invitations from CBS, NBC, and Fox.

This week, he has started to push for a debate hosted by Fox News.

On the campaign trail, Trump has stated that he wants to debate Harris and would be willing to do more than one debate.

-ABC News' Lalee Ibssa, Soo Rin Kim and Kelsey Walsh

3:51 PM EDT

'Let's go'': Harris says she's 'ready to debate Donald Trump'

Harris spoke with reporters after she landing back at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington Thursday, making a point of saying she is ready to debate Donald Trump on Sept. 10.

"I have agreed to the previously agreed upon September 10 debate. He agreed to that previously. Now it appears he's backpedaling, but I'm ready, and I think the voters deserve to see the split screen that exists in this race on a debate stage, and so I'm ready. Let's go," she said.

The debate is scheduled to be hosted by ABC News, with anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis moderating.

In recent days, Trump has requested another network to moderate the debate.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez

Jul 25, 2024, 3:07 PM EDT

Harris to appear on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' finale

Vice President Kamala Harris is sashaying her way into the RuPaul's Drag Race Werk Room with a get out the vote message for the season finale of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" Friday at 9 p.m.

"Hi everyone, it's Kamala Harris. Each day, we're seeing our rights and freedoms under attack, including the right of everyone to be who they are, love who they love, openly, and with pride. So, as we fight back against these attacks, let's all remember no one is alone," she will say.

The video features judge Michelle Visage, Leslie Jones, Lance Bass, Cheyenne Jackson and choreographer Jamal Sims, sitting alongside Harris.

Her appearance on the Vh1 show was filmed in June, according to the vice president's office.

-ABC News' Justin Gomez