President Joe Biden challenged Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to a debate in a video Wednesday.
“Donald Trump lost to me twice in debates in 2020 and hasn't appeared in a debate since. Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again.” Biden said in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter).
“So let's have a fun day,” Biden added. “I'll do it twice. Let's pick a date, Donald. I hear you're free on Wednesday.”
Donald Trump lost to me twice in debates in 2020. He has not appeared in a debate since then.
Now he acts as if he wants to argue with me again.
Well, good luck today, friends. pic.twitter.com/AkPmvs2q4u
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 15, 2024
The Biden campaign has proposed holding two general election debates in June and September before early voting begins. The campaign also said it wanted a debate sponsored by a news organization rather than a presidential debate because the three debates proposed by the Commission on Presidential Debate would be scheduled too late after early voting began. There were also voices of opposition.
President Trump told Fox News that he agreed to the schedule proposed by Biden.
Exclusive: @realDonaldTrump Say this to me:
“I’m ready… the dates they suggested are fine… let’s see if Joe can get on the stand-up podium.”
“The proposed dates in June and early September are quite acceptable to me. I will provide transportation.”
— Brooke Singman (@BrookeSingman) May 15, 2024
President Trump was absent from the 2020 presidential debate, which organizers announced would be held virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The former president also missed the 2024 Republican primary debate.
But in recent months, Mr. Trump has mocked Mr. Biden on the campaign trail, calling for more debates than usual and placing empty lecterns at rallies to signal Mr. Biden's positions.
“Anytime, anywhere,” Trump said of debating Biden at a rally earlier this year.
President Trump also indicated he would hold the presidential debate in a New York City courthouse, where he is on trial for falsifying business records related to hush money he paid to hush adult film star Stormy Daniels. .
President Trump has been immersed in the trial every day except Wednesday, when the trial is not in session, and has been given time off.
