Biden invites Trump to participate in alternative debates

President Joe Biden's campaign has invited former President Donald Trump to participate in two presidential debates hosted by news organizations. Additionally, they have informed the Commission on Presidential Debates that Biden will not be taking part in the fall debates as previously scheduled. In a letter sent to the commission, the campaign suggested debate dates in June and September.

Biden, in a video released on Wednesday, mentioned that he won two debates against Donald Trump in 2020. He pointed out that Trump has not participated in any debates since then but now seems interested in debating him again.

Biden challenged Trump to debate him, stating that he is willing to do it twice. He even suggested picking Wednesdays as the debate dates, hinting at Trump's availability due to his court schedule. Biden's campaign mentioned in a letter that the first debate might occur after Trump's hush-money trial concludes.

CNN has contacted the Trump campaign and the committee for their comments. Trump has shown enthusiasm to debate Biden in recent public events. He even placed an empty lectern at a campaign rally in Wisconsin as a challenge to Biden.

At a rally in Green Bay on April 2, Trump called on "crooked Joe" to debate him anytime and anywhere. He expressed his willingness to debate Joe Biden at any location of Biden's choice.

Last November, the Commission on Presidential Debates released dates for three presidential debates. The first was set for September 16 in Texas, followed by the second on October 1 in Virginia, and the third on October 9 in Utah.

In a letter sent on Wednesday, Jen O’Malley Dillon, the chair of the Biden campaign, proposed a revised schedule. The campaign believes the original dates do not align with changes in the election structure and voter interests. They highlighted issues such as early voting timelines, the commission's focus on creating an entertainment spectacle during debates, and the perceived lack of enforcement of rules during the 2020 debates.

The campaign also proposed that a vice presidential debate take place in late July after the Republican Party nominates its candidate for that position.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

Editor's P/S:

The Biden campaign's decision to challenge Trump to debates and withdraw from the CPD-organized debates is a significant development in the 2023 presidential campaign. Biden's confidence in his debate skills and Trump's apparent willingness to engage suggest a potentially heated and controversial debate season. The focus on different debate formats and the timing of the debates highlights the ongoing debate about the role and effectiveness of debates in the electoral process.

The proposed dates for the debates, June and September, align with Biden's suggestion of holding them after the hush-money trial and before the early voting period begins. This move reflects the Biden campaign's desire to avoid potential distractions and focus on engaging with voters during a crucial period of the campaign. The proposal to host a vice presidential debate in late July also signals the importance of the vice presidential race and the need for candidates to showcase their qualifications and policy positions. Overall, the Biden campaign's approach to debates demonstrates a strategic effort to engage with voters, highlight their candidate's strengths, and shape the narrative of the campaign.