(Washington) Two highlights announced in an extremely tense presidential campaign: Joe Biden and Donald Trump have agreed to debate twice, on June 27 and September 10.
Earlier in the morning, the American president was the first to challenge his predecessor.
“Today he says he wants to debate me again. In that case, humor me, dude. I will even do it twice,” launched the 81-year-old Democrat, candidate in November for a second term, in an offensive video message.
His 77-year-old Republican opponent, who had been calling for a televised duel for a long time, immediately took up the gauntlet: “Tell me when, I’ll be there. It’s time for a fight! ! ! “.
CNN will organize and broadcast the debate on June 27, in Atlanta, Georgia (southeast), at 9 p.m. (local time). The channel specified that the exchange would take place without an audience, a formula that Joe Biden prefers.
Competing channel ABC will host the one on September 10.
“Bad debater”
In a message on his Truth Social network, Donald Trump said that his Democratic opponent was the “worst debater” he had ever met.
“I strongly suggest having more than two debates,” said the Republican billionaire, judging that the duel, “to make it more exciting,” should be held in “a very large room, even if it seems that Biden is afraid of crowds.
Donald Trump’s campaign team proposed in a press release to organize four meetings: in June, July, August and September.
The presidential debates are always highlights of an American campaign, and they will be particularly anticipated this year, such is the hostility between the two men.
These duels will also be a test of the vivacity and intellectual endurance of the candidates, the oldest to have never run for the White House.
Republicans continue to attack Joe Biden over his moments of confusion and his gaffes, while Democrats denounce Donald Trump’s sometimes totally incoherent outings.
In his video message, the Democrat was frankly mocking: “Let’s choose the dates Donald. I heard you were free on Wednesday.”
The American president refers to the only weekly day off in the trial against his predecessor.
Donald Trump, multiple criminal defendants, is required to appear in New York for the rest of the week in connection with a case of concealed payments to a former porn actress.
However, the trial is expected to end before June 27, which is a Thursday.
“Not entertainment”
Joe Biden’s campaign team sent a letter to the commission which usually organizes electoral debates.
She explains that her candidate would not comply with either the timetable or the conditions established by this organization, which had already set three dates (September 16, 1er October and October 9).
The Biden camp mainly argues that the first debate must take place earlier, to take into account Americans voting early.
“The debate must be held for the benefit of the Americans who follow it on television, not in the form of entertainment in front of an audience of agitated or disruptive supporters and donors,” wrote the president of Joe’s campaign. Biden, Jen O’Malley Dillon, in this letter.
The CNN channel explained in a press release that to participate in the debate, candidates must be registered in a sufficient number of states, and reach at least 15% of voting intentions in four separate national polls, during a period extending from March 13 to June 20.
This threshold, unless there is a huge surprise, should exclude any candidate other than Joe Biden and Donald Trump, including the independent Robert F. Kennedy who let his indignation explode on X.
“These are the two most unpopular candidates in history. By excluding me, Presidents Biden and Trump are trying to avoid a debate about their disastrous eight years of deficits, wars, lockdowns, chronic disease and inflation,” he wrote.