OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Donald Trump immediately trolled his likely 2024 opponent, President Joe Biden, after the latter declared on “The Howard Stern Show” on Friday that he would debate the former president.
“[L]et’s do the Debate at the Courthouse tonight – on National Television, I’ll wait around!” Trump posted on Truth Social during his lunch break.
Before Friday, Biden and his campaign were noncommital about debating Trump, even though the former extended an invitation in March, pledging to debate “anytime, anywhere, anyplace.”
“Crooked Joe Biden just announced that he’s willing to debate! 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 posted Friday.
He added:
I suggest Monday Evening, Tuesday Evening, or Wednesday Evening at my Rally in Michigan, a State that he is in the process of destroying with his E.V. Mandate.
In the alternative, he’s in New York City today, although probably doesn’t know it, and so am I, stuck in one of the many Court cases that he instigated as ELECTION INTERFERENCE AGAINST A POLITICAL OPPONENT – A CONTINUING WITCH HUNT! It’s the only way he thinks he can win. In fact, let’s do the Debate at the Courthouse tonight – on National Television, I’ll wait around!
During the show, Stern asked Biden if he planned to debate Trump, to which Biden responded: “I am, somewhere. I am happy to debate him.”
Biden’s statement came during an interview in which he delivered outlandish statements and perhaps some lies, according to Director of Communications for the State Freedom Caucus Network Greg Price, who listed them on the X platform:
- Claimed he saved six people from drowning as a lifeguard
- Claimed he received “salacious pictures” from women in the 1970s that he handed to Secret Service
- Claimed authorities arrested him as a kid
- Claimed he was a “runner-up in state scoring” in football
Earlier this month, Trump said he was prepared to debate Biden “anytime, anyplace” ahead of the November presidential election, saying it would be “for the good of the country.”
“You can see we have an empty podium right here to my right. You know what that is? That’s for Joe Biden,” Trump said during a campaign rally in Wisconsin. Next to his podium, he had an empty mic stand, symbolic of his eagerness to debate Biden.
“I’m trying to get him to debate,” he added. “I’m calling on ‘Crooked Joe’ to debate anytime, anyplace. We’ll do it any way you want, Joe.”
The mic stand was adorned with a black placard that read, “Anytime. Anywhere. Anyplace.”
“Let’s go have a good, solid, friendly debate,” Trump said.
Biden campaign spokesman Michael Tyler called the stunt a “weak merch play from a guy desperate to avoid talking about how he’s got no cash, no campaign infrastructure, and no answer for how his chaotic, divisive, and violent campaign is going to win this November.”
“Trump said last fall only people who are losing want debates,” Tyler added. “At least we agree on something.”
Polls show most Americans want there to be debates this year between the two candidates.
Biden stated last month that he might not participate in a debate with Trump before their expected rematch in the election.
“It depends on his behavior,” Biden said.
Trump echoed a similar sentiment late last month.
During an interview with Dan Bongino for his radio show, Trump said that he did not think Biden would remain in the race but called on him to debate “immediately.”
“And I don’t think he’s going to run. I don’t know if it’s donors or otherwise. It might be his family. It might be something,” Trump said. “I don’t think he’s gonna run, but I’d like to call for, immediately, debates. I’d like to debate him now because we should debate. We should debate for the good of the country. So I will officially go on your show.”
