US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump announced Wednesday that they will go head-to-head in the first presidential debate of the upcoming election on June 27, moderated by CNN.
The first showdown will be held at an unusually early date, before the Democratic Party officially nominates Biden and Republican Trump at their respective national conventions in August and July.
The debate will be held in a television studio without a live audience at the request of Biden, who apparently wanted to avoid the circus-like atmosphere that President Trump is known for.
The combined photo shows US President Joe Biden (left) and his predecessor Donald Trump. (Getty/Kyodo)
Additionally, the two prospective presidential candidates said they have agreed to an additional one-on-one debate hosted by ABC News on September 10th. While deciding the two showdowns, the main candidates for the November 5 election said: They will not participate in the fall debates that bipartisan committees have sponsored for decades.
Opinion polls show that many American voters are dissatisfied with the prospect of a rematch between Biden and Trump, and their decision to greenlight an earlier-than-usual debate comes at the last minute. It reflects their desire to gain an advantage before entering. of lace.
“Donald Trump lost to me twice in debates in 2020. He hasn't come to a debate since. Now he's like he wants to debate me again,” Biden said in a video message. Have an attitude. Let's have a good day,” he said in a video message. “I'll do it twice,” he added on X, formerly known as Twitter.
In messages posted before the two sides formally agreed to the debate, Mr. Biden also criticized the criminal cases Mr. Trump faces, including one in which Mr. Biden recently He said he is busy four days a week fighting hush-money payments allegations in New York state. yoke.
“Let's set a date, Donald. I hear you're free on Wednesday,” said the 81-year-old Democratic incumbent, who is struggling in the polls against Trump.
The 77-year-old Trump, who did not attend any party debates during the Republican primaries, said on his social media platform Truth Social that he would host two or more presidential debates and that he would use “extraordinary measures to build excitement.” in large venues, although Biden appears to be afraid of crowds.
In response, Biden campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon said in a statement, “President Biden has made clear the terms of two one-on-one debates, and Donald Trump has accepted those terms. No more confusion, no more debate.” About the discussion group. ”
The Biden campaign had aimed to conclude the presidential debate in early September, when early voting begins.
Since 1988, the Commission on Presidential Debates has organized a debate for every U.S. presidential election, but will no longer participate in it in 2024.
The Biden campaign proposed holding a separate vice presidential debate in July after President Trump and his yet-to-be-chosen running mate were formally nominated at the Republican convention in Milwaukee.
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