Biden Expresses Willingness to Debate Trump Ahead of 2024 Election

President Joe Biden has explicitly stated that he will debate former President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election, marking his clearest declaration yet of his willingness to face off with his Republican rival. In an interview with radio host Howard Stern, Biden said he is "happy to debate him but did not specify a date or format for the potential debates.

Trump has repeatedly called on Biden to publicly commit to a debate, even offering to debate the incumbent Democrat "anytime, anywhere, anyplace." The former president's campaign has urged the Commission on Presidential Debates to speed up the schedule and add additional debates beyond the standard three, while the Biden campaign has expressed concerns about whether Trump will follow established debate rules.

The Commission on Presidential Debates has already announced the dates and locations for the three general election debates between the presidential candidates: September 16 in Texas, October 1 in Virginia, and October 9 in Utah. One vice presidential debate is also scheduled for September 25.

Why this matters: The potential Biden-Trump debate could be the most significant since the 1980 presidential debate, according to Republican strategist Karl Rove. The debates will provide an essential opportunity for both candidates to make their case to the American people ahead of the November election.

Some of Biden's advisers have questioned the wisdom of debating Trump, arguing that it would normalize the former president's efforts to overturn the 2020 election. However, a dozen leading U.S. news organizations have urged the candidates to publicly commit to debating each other, noting that presidential debates have been a feature of every election cycle since 1976.

Biden and Trump debated twice during the 2020 general election, with the first debate marred by Trump's frequent interruptions and disregard for the agreed-upon rules. Biden was notably irritated by Trump's antics in the chaotic first debate, leading some to question the state of American democracy.

"If I were him I'd want him to debate me too," Biden said in response to Trump's calls for earlier debates. The president's willingness to face off with Trump comes despite concerns over the former president's past debate behavior and his continued refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election.

As the 2024 campaign heats up, the prospect of a Biden-Trump debate looms large. While the specific format and rules remain to be determined, both candidates appear ready to make their case to the American people on the debate stage. The outcome of these debates could play a significant role in shaping the final months of the presidential race and ultimately determining who will occupy the White House for the next four years.

Key Takeaways

• Biden explicitly stated he will debate Trump ahead of 2024 election.
• Trump has called for more debates, while Biden has concerns about Trump's behavior.
• The Commission on Presidential Debates has announced the 2024 debate schedule.
• The Biden-Trump debate could be the most significant since 1980, per GOP strategist.
• The debates will provide an essential opportunity for both candidates to make their case.