It’s Trump vs Biden in presidential face-off; date fixed

WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on Wednesday agreed to hold two campaign debates the first on June 27 hosted by CNN and the second on Sept. 10 hosted by ABC setting the stage for their first presidential face-off to play out in just over a month.

Following the Democrat’s declaration that he will not take part in the autumn presidential debates sponsored by the nonpartisan commission that has arranged them for more than three decades, there was a swift agreement on the schedule.

As an alternative, Biden’s campaign suggested that media organizations arrange the debates between the likely Democratic and Republican candidates directly.

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The debate is so unusually early on the political calendar that neither Biden nor Trump will have formally accepted his party’s nomination.

Hours later, Biden said he had accepted an invitation from CNN, adding, “Over to you, Donald.” Trump, who had insisted he would debate Biden anytime and anyplace, said on Truth Social he’d be there, too, adding, “Let’s get ready to Rumble!!!” Soon after that, they agreed to the second debate on ABC.

“Trump says he’ll arrange his own transportation,” Biden wrote on X, working in a jab about the perks of incumbency. “I’ll bring my plane, too. I plan on keeping it for another four years.”

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