On Wednesday, President Joe Biden’s 2024 campaign challenged Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump to two debates ahead of the November election, the first of which is now set for June 27.
Biden’s proposal was quickly followed by an offer from CNN, which both men have since accepted, marking a historically early showdown.
“I’ve received and accepted an invitation from @CNN for a debate on June 27. Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place,” Biden said in a post on X.
“It is my great honor to accept the CNN Debate against Crooked Joe Biden, the WORST PRESIDENT in the History of the United States and a true Threat to Democracy, on June 27. Likewise, I accept the ABC News Debate against Crooked Joe on September 10. Thank you, DJT!” Trump wrote on Truth Social after news of the June 27 date broke.
Biden had challenged Trump to a debate earlier on Wednesday, saying that the two should show down in a television studio before the debate.
In response, Trump disagreed with the proposal, saying it should be done in front of a live audience, as is typical for presidential debates, but still accepted the two dates for the debates.
According to a news release from CNN, the debate will be held in the network’s Atlanta studios with no audience present.
Moderators for the debate and additional details are expected to come at a later time, the network shared.
Trump had said in a post to Truth Social he would prefer “for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds.”
“Just tell me when, I’ll be there,” Trump said. “Let’s get ready to Rumble!!!”
Trump and Biden have recently discussed debates, with Trump often posting that he would do so “anytime, anywhere.” He also shared with radio host Hugh Hewitt that he would accept any moderator.
While appearing on the Howard Stern Show last month, Biden said he would be “happy to debate” Trump and that they were working on plans.
“I am – somewhere. I don’t know when,” Biden said during the interview.
Then, in a social media post and letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates, Biden’s team laid out its proposed terms and the dates in June and September.
“Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate. Now he’s acting like he wants to debate me again,” Biden said in a video released Wednesday.
He went on to take a shot at Trump’s current legal troubles, saying, “So let’s pick the dates, Donald – I hear you’re free on Wednesdays,” alluding to his current court schedule.
In his Truth Social post, Trump didn’t back down from Biden’s challenge, as he also said he would “strongly recommend” more than two debates.
“I am Ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September,” Trump wrote.