Trump, Biden are about to have a head-to-head verbal exchange
Both Trump and Biden took part in the televised debate, an event that is expected to see fierce verbal battles.
On May 15, US President Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump respectively announced their acceptance of CNN's invitation for the debate on June 27.
Biden proposes debate twice, Trump wants more
The announcement comes after President Biden first outlined the conditions of his debate with former president Trump on air.
The incumbent proposed two debates in June and September, but Trump has said he wants more than 2 and holds them in high-capacity venues.
Biden's move shows he is willing to take some calculated risks to boost his approval ratings, as he trails Trump in key battleground states. Voter concerns about Biden's age and handling of the economy are believed to be the main cause.
Donald Trump lost me two debates in 2020. Since then, he hasn't appeared in another debate," President Biden said in a May 15 social media post X. Former President Trump responded by calling Biden the "worst debater" he has ever faced, but is poised to participate in two debates next June and September.
I strongly suggest hosting more than two debates, and to add to the excitement, it should be held in a very large venue, even though Biden is reportedly afraid of crowds. It's just because he doesn't understand them," Trump added
Trump, who has refused to debate his opponents in the Republican primary, has in recent weeks challenged Biden to engage in a one-on-one showdown. He declared his readiness for debates with the incumbent president "anytime, anywhere
Trump previously told conservative host Hugh Hewitt that he wanted the debate to last two hours and both men had to stand, showing his confidence in his health against his opponent.
The incumbent president wants the debate to have only two candidates and a moderator, without any live audience or other fourth parties. Earlier, President Biden announced he would not participate in live televised debates hosted by the Presidential Debate Commission in the fall. The nonpartisan organization has hosted presidential debates since 1988.
Similarly, Trump has expressed his intention to skip the committee's debates. In 2022, the Republican National Committee announced the party would be leaving the committee's debate system.
In a letter explaining the decision, Biden's campaign chief, Jennifer O'Malley Dillon, cited the committee's repeated blocking of candidates from violating debate rules.
The incumbent's campaign also confirmed it had notified the committee that Biden would not participate in three debates scheduled for Sept. 16, Oct. 1 and Oct. 9.
