US President Joe Biden has issued a challenge to former President Donald Trump, proposing a debate ahead of the upcoming presidential polls in a bold video released on Wednesday. This marks the first official move from the Biden campaign to engage in debates with Trump, who has been vocal about his willingness to debate anytime, anywhere.
In the video shared on social media platform X, Biden directly addressed Trump, reminding him of their previous encounters in 2020 and daring him to face off again. With a taunting tone, Biden called on Trump to "pick the dates," suggesting that Wednesdays might be convenient for the former president.
Trump, in his immediate response, hurled insults at Biden, labelling him as "the WORST" debater and accusing him of being "afraid of crowds." He expressed a desire for more than two debates and suggested holding them in large venues for added excitement.
Meanwhile, Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, the chair of Biden’s campaign, outlined their approach to the debates in a letter addressed to the Commission on Presidential Debates. Rather than participating in the three general election debates organised by the commission, Biden's campaign proposed engaging in discussions facilitated by press outlets.
O’Malley Dillon suggested scheduling the first debate for late June, following Biden's return from vacation and Trump's criminal trial in New York. The second debate, according to the proposal, should occur in early September at the onset of the fall campaign season, allowing for maximum impact on early voting without disrupting the critical late September and October campaign period.
Biden's challenge to Trump sets the stage for potential showdowns between the two political heavyweights, with both camps gearing up for negotiations over the format and timing of the debates.