President Joe Biden has made it clear that he would be willing to debate former President Donald Trump, sharing on Friday that it was going to happen.
“I am – somewhere. I don’t know when. I’m happy to debate him,” Biden said during an interview with Howard Stern.
While his commitment isn’t a set date, it does address months of speculation of whether the two expected candidates would face off again on the debate stage.
Trump was quick to respond to Biden’s remarks, saying that he was also prepared to debate Biden despite not believing he would actually do it.
“Everyone knows he doesn’t really mean it, but in case he does, I say, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, an old expression used by Fighters,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The confirmation from Biden that he would debate Trump comes after top Republicans, commentators, and television networks called for the two to square off.
In a public letter written earlier this month, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox News came together, calling for the debate between Trump and Biden to be televised.
Still, many are questioning whether or not Biden would do it, as his political opponents argue he’s not sharp enough to go toe-to-toe with Trump, while his political allies question if it would hurt or help his place with voters.
“Will Joe Biden Debate? That’s an issue that isn’t going away. Donald Trump makes it clear whenever he is on stage that he will debate Joe Biden anytime, anywhere, and anyplace,” Trump co-campaign managers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita said in a written statement last week.
During the interview with Stern, Biden touched on several other topics, including Roe v. Wade, Jan. 6, and the Republican party.
Biden told Stern that during his time in office, he has had nearly a dozen Republican Senators say that they agree with what he’s doing, but they can’t say it publicly or “he’ll get me,” referring to Trump.
“He’s promised that if he doesn’t win there’s going to be a bloodbath,” Biden said.