''HOT'' Trump wants Biden to test for banned substances ahead of debate
Former President Trump said he wants President Biden to get tested to make sure he doesn't use banned substances before the first in-person debate.
"I want to argue with him and will ask for a drug use test. I don't want to see him lose control like he did when he delivered his State of the Union address," former President Donald Trump said on May 18 at the Republican Lincoln Reagan Dinner fundraiser in Minnesota on May 17.
Trump has criticized President Joe Biden for "losing control" as he delivered his State of the Union address, which he described as "the worst in American history." He then alluded to Biden's use of banned substances, recalling the drug discovery in the White House last July
"As you know, they stumbled upon drugs in the White House. I'm not sure but I think there's something going on there," Trump said in March.
This isn't the first time Trump has ordered a drug test on Biden. In 2020, he called Biden's debate performances in the Democratic primary "erratic" and said he would require a drug test before their debate. However, none of the candidates in that year's election took this test.
Trump's comments come after the former president and President Biden this week agreed to participate in two live debates hosted by CNN and ABC on June 6 and 9. The first debate is scheduled to be held in Atlanta on June 27.
"They have to be fair. If not, you know, you're going to have to deal with that," Trump said. Republican Rep. Greg Murphy on May 16 also suggested that Biden was "definitely excited by something" when he delivered his State of the Union address in March. President Biden's campaign has not commented on Trump's new request
Republicans running to show loyalty to Trump
Trump's trial has turned into a stage for Republican allies running to show loyalty to him. Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, Donald Trump's vice president, traveled to New York on May 13 to show solidarity with the Republican nominee in this year's White House race.
Vance began his day at Trump Tower and then arrived at the Manhattan courthouse with Alabama senator Tommy Tuberville, Alabama attorney general, Iowa attorney general and Republican congresswoman from Staten Island.
When Trump was barred from publicly attacking key witnesses in the trial of porn star Stommy Daniels' gag spending, a slew of Republicans spoke out on his behalf.
"What the former president was prevented from saying was that everyone involved in this prosecution was in fact Democratic political activists. It's shameful," Vance said outside the Manhattan courthouse on May 13.
When Michael Cohen, a key prosecution witness and former Trump lawyer, testified on May 14, House Speaker Mike Johnson arrived at the courthouse in Trump's motorcade. Johnson criticized the "rotten" court system. He condemned the prosecutions of Trump as "ridiculous" and not for the purpose of justice. "It's all for political purposes," he said.
"This is election interference. The American people will not be able to leave that alone," Johnson added, noting that he appeared to support Trump as a friend. Unlike other Republicans, Johnson did not attend Trump's trial and returned to Washington the same day. Later, on Capitol Hill, he repeated Republican claims that the justice system had been used as a "weapon" against Trump and said Americans "are losing faith" in the system.
It was a remarkable moment in modern American politics. The House speaker continued to defend Trump and joined Republicans in attacking the state and federal legal systems that are seen as the cornerstone of the U.S. government, according to observers.
In addition to Johnson, Trump's running mates on May 14 included Florida Rep. Bryon Donalds and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, both of whom are considered candidates for deputy, along with former Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
About 9 Republicans also appeared in the courtroom on May 16. The House Oversight Committee and the House Judiciary Committee had to reschedule so lawmakers could travel to New York.
"I have a lot of people speaking up for me and they're speaking really well. They're coming from all over Washington, they're respected people, and they think this is the biggest ploy they've ever seen," Trump said.
Donald Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up $130,000 spent on porn star Daniels to discard adverse information during his 2016 campaign. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, said she had an affair with Trump in 2006. She has told the story in many media channels, including CBS's 60 Minutes, In Touch magazine, and personal memoirs
Former adviser Cohen said Trump ordered him to suppress adverse information. Meanwhile, the former president is barred by a judge from criticizing key witnesses. Allies' court appearances allowed the Trump campaign to emphasize their message without violating the court's injunction. It also provides allies with a chance to show loyalty to the candidate they believe has a chance of winning the White House
According to the Trump campaign, everyone who came to the courthouse this week volunteered to appear, not by invitation. But Florida Senator Rick Scott, who arrived in a New York court last week, said he was invited by senior campaign adviser Susie Wiles
