Trump pressures Biden to debate him before mail-in ballots go out
'They want to get out of it,' president says of Democrats and debates despite Biden and surrogates saying the exact opposite
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump on Thursday floated the idea of having just one debate with Joe Biden, pressuring the former vice president to go one-on-one before states send out mail-in ballots.
"I want a debate. ... One debate," Mr Trump said as he and Fox Business morning host Maria Bartiromo talked over one another during a wild early morning interview conducted via telephone. "Move it forward."
During the confusing exchange, the president appeared to endorse four debates, with one added to the existing schedule, to which both sides have agreed.
The GOP president and the presumptive Democratic nominee are slated to debate three times: 29 September in Cleveland; 15 October in Miami; and 22 October in Nashville.
After floating just one debate before mail ballots are distributed, the president then said he is open to adding an earlier one to that plan.
"Move it forward or have an extra one put in," an animated Mr Trump said, before adding of Mr Biden and Democrats: "They want to get out of it."
Despite the president's claim, Mr Biden and his campaign team insist he is eager to go toe-to-toe with Mr Trump.
The soon-to-be Democratic nominee in July said he "can hardly wait to compare my cognitive capability to the cognitive capability of the man I'm running against."
Andrew Bates, a top Biden campaign official, on 3 August said in a statement that his boss "looks forward to debating Donald Trump on the dates and in the locations chosen by the Presidential Commission on Debates."
The Biden campaign has yet to embrace a fourth debate.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments