Former President Donald Trump’s campaign managers have expressed criticism towards the Commission on Presidential Debates for maintaining its original debate schedule despite calls from the Trump campaign to reschedule and add more debates. The campaign managers, Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, have extended an invitation to all television networks in America to host a debate and have urged President Joe Biden’s campaign to coordinate for an early debate.
The Trump campaign argues that the current debate schedule, which begins after millions of Americans have already cast their votes, is unacceptable. They emphasize the importance of allowing the public to hear from both candidates before voting commences.
While the Commission on Presidential Debates has confirmed its adherence to the original schedule, the Trump campaign remains steadfast in its commitment to organizing a debate with or without the commission's involvement. They stress that President Trump is willing to debate Joe Biden anytime and anywhere, highlighting the urgency of setting up a debate promptly.
On the other hand, the Republican National Committee has been actively advocating for Biden to engage in debates with Trump through various channels. Despite some initial ambiguity, Biden has expressed willingness to debate Trump, indicating a potential showdown between the two candidates.
Trump's history with debates has been varied, with instances of eagerness to debate opponents in the past. However, his approach to debates in the 2024 Republican primary differed as he chose to skip every debate and still secured the party's nomination.
Notably, the RNC had previously decided to withdraw from debates hosted by the Committee on Presidential Debates due to concerns raised by Trump and the party. The ongoing debate discourse underscores the contrasting styles of Trump and Biden, with both camps emphasizing the importance of engaging in public debates.