President Biden has responded to former President Trump’s challenge for an immediate debate, stating that if he were Trump, he would also want to debate him because Trump has “nothing else to do.” Trump had issued the challenge during a radio appearance with conservative commentator Dan Bongino, claiming that a debate would be good for the country. Biden made these comments while campaigning in Nevada, emphasizing that he is ready to debate Trump at any time.
However, the outlook for general election debates remains uncertain, with Trump holding a commanding lead in the GOP primary. The Republican National Committee has withdrawn from the Commission on Presidential Debates, and Trump himself has called the organization “corrupt.” Despite his criticism, Trump has expressed a willingness to participate in as many as 20 debates with Biden, even if organized by the commission he deems corrupt. Trump believes that Biden will never agree to hold a debate, further highlighting the animosity between the two political rivals.
Interestingly, Trump’s newfound willingness to debate comes after he flatly rejected calls to debate his challengers in the GOP primary race. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, the sole remaining challenger to Trump, participated in multiple debates with other candidates while Trump chose to abstain. Trump and his campaign argued that his significant lead in GOP polls freed him from any obligation to engage in debates with distant challengers.
As for the general election debates, the debate commission has already scheduled three debates. However, neither Trump nor Biden have publicly agreed to participate in them. The scheduled debates are set to take place on September 16 at Texas State University in San Marcos, October 1 at Virginia State University in Petersburg, and October 9 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
The possibility of these debates remains uncertain, given the contentious relationship between the two candidates and the withdrawal of the Republican National Committee from the debate commission. It is clear that both Trump and Biden have differing opinions on the fairness and integrity of the commission, but whether they will come to an agreement and engage in a debate is yet to be seen.
As the political climate continues to unfold, the American public eagerly awaits the possibility of a debate between these two influential figures. The outcome of such a debate could greatly impact the upcoming election and provide voters with valuable insights into the candidates’ policies and positions. Only time will tell if Trump and Biden will set aside their differences and engage in a productive and enlightening debate for the nation’s benefit.
