May 15th 2024.
In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to hold two campaign debates leading up to the highly anticipated US Election. This news has sparked excitement and speculation among voters and political enthusiasts alike, as it sets the stage for the first presidential face-off in just a few short weeks.
The first debate will be hosted by CNN on June 27, while the second will be held on September 10 and hosted by ABC in the USA. The two candidates wasted no time in coming to a quick agreement on the debate schedule, following Biden's recent announcement that he will not participate in the fall presidential debates sponsored by the nonpartisan commission that has organized them for over three decades.
Instead, Biden's campaign proposed that media outlets directly organize the debates between the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees. They suggested the first debate take place in late June and the second in September, before early voting begins. In response, Trump took to his Truth Social site and declared that he was "Ready and Willing to Debate" Biden at the proposed times.
As if on cue, Biden accepted an invitation from CNN for a debate in June and playfully threw the ball back in Trump's court, saying "Over to you, Donald." Trump responded on Truth Social, saying he would be there and adding a playful "c!!" to show his enthusiasm. Not long after, they agreed to the second debate on ABC.
In a witty exchange, Biden wrote on his social media platform "Trump says he'll arrange his own transportation," to which he added "I'll bring my plane, too. I plan on keeping it for another four years." Despite their friendly banter, the two sides still had some differences to iron out, such as agreeing on moderators and rules - issues that have plagued the Commission on Presidential Debates since its formation in 1987.
One key disagreement was the exclusion of third-party candidates, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., from the debates. Biden's campaign had proposed this outright, but under the debate commission's rules, Kennedy or any other third-party candidate could qualify if they secured ballot access for 270 Electoral Votes and polled at 15% or higher in a selection of national polls.
CNN announced that the debate would be held in its Atlanta studios, with no audience present. Details such as moderators would be announced at a later date. However, the network did leave the door open for Kennedy's participation if he or any other candidate met polling and ballot access requirements similar to the commission's.
Trump, true to his nature, expressed his desire for a large live audience, saying "I would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds - That's only because he doesn't get them." He then confidently added, "Just tell me when, I'll be there."
The Republican National Committee had previously promised not to work with the commission on the 2024 contests, showing the growing dissatisfaction with their handling of the debates. Both Biden and Trump have voiced their grievances with the commission, with Trump even proposing a face-off outside the Manhattan courthouse where he is currently on trial.
Biden's campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates expressing their objections to the fall dates and the commission's insistence on a live audience. She argued that the debates should be for the benefit of the American voters watching at home, not for the entertainment of a disruptive audience.
Trump and Biden also took to social media to take jabs at each other, with Biden calling Trump the "WORST debater" he has ever faced and Trump claiming that Biden "can't put two sentences together." Despite their previous exchanges, both men seem eager to debate each other again, with Biden even telling radio host Howard Stern that he is "happy to debate him."
As the date for the first debate draws closer, the nation will be eagerly anticipating the highly anticipated face-off between the two candidates. It remains to be seen who will come out on top and how the debates will impact the upcoming election. Stay tuned for more updates and make sure to follow us on WhatsApp for the latest breaking news, celebrity updates, and sports news. No comments, no algorithm, and nobody can see your private details.
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