Photo: PTI). President Joe Biden speaks on Thursday, April 25th, 2024 at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum in Syracuse, N.Y.
Joe Biden, the president, said Friday he was willing to engage in a debate with his Republican presumptive opponent Donald Trump later this year. This is his definitive statement on the subject.
Trump claimed to be ready but questioned Bidens’s readiness.
Biden made the comment during an interview conducted by Sirius XM host Howard Stern. Stern asked Biden if he was willing to participate in debates with Trump.
Where am I? Biden replied, “I don’t remember when.” But I’m happy to debate him.
Biden has so far declined to participate in debates. This is a tradition of presidential campaigns since 1976.
Biden was also vague in his own words, saying that whether or not he would debate Trump depended on Trump’s behavior. Both men debated during the general election of 2020, a year that was heavily constrained by Covid-19. Biden’s irritation at Trump’s behavior in the first chaotic debate of the year was notable.
When will you stop? Biden asked Trump during the debate.
Biden has said on social media that he is willing to engage in a debate with Trump at any time. Chris LaCivita of the Trump campaign responded quickly to Biden’s comments: “OK, let’s arrange it!”
Trump responded to Biden’s public declaration of willingness to engage in a debate on Friday by saying that everyone knows Biden doesn’t mean it. He suggested Tuesday, Monday, or Wednesday evenings as the dates when Trump would be campaigning for Michigan. He is suggesting evenings as he will be in New York for proceedings related to his criminal case involving hush-money.
Trump must appear in court everyday except Wednesdays. Trump challenged Biden, who was also in New York, to debate at Manhattan’s courthouse Friday evening. Biden returned to Washington after a brief stay in New York.
Melania’s birthday is on Friday, as well. The former president said that day he would be flying to Florida after his day-long trial was over to spend time with Melania.
Trump has not participated in the Republican Primary Debates this year.
Commission on Presidential Debates announced already the locations and dates for three debates that will take place between presidential candidates during the general elections: October 1, Petersburg, Virginia, and Salt Lake City, October 9, September 16. Vice presidential candidate will debate on September 25, in Easton Pennsylvania.
The Associated Press and a dozen other news organizations, among them Biden’s campaign, urged both candidates to attend the debates in a letter sent to their campaigns at the beginning of the month.
Biden gives fewer interviews to the press than any of his predecessors. His aides also tend to select outlets outside of the Washington press corps. The interview, which lasted over an hour on Friday, was informal, introspective, and covered topics such as Biden’s childhood, his family, and Thomas Jefferson.
This interview took place the same day that the New York Times released a press release criticizing Biden’s refusal to conduct formal interviews or hold as many news conferences as his predecessors. Newspaper A.G. Sulzberger reportedly urged Biden’s senior officials to accept an interview with him, not only with The Times, but also with other media outlets.
The timing was still coincidental. A person with knowledge of the plan said that the White House had been in contact with Sirius XM for several weeks, arranging the interview. This person’s identity was protected to speak about internal planning.
Stern is no longer the old shock jock, but he still has a large and loyal following. He’s also known for having a conversational style of interviewing. He is able to turn conversations with celebrities into insightful discussions by asking questions that others may be reluctant to ask, without being confrontational.
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