The Trump campaign has labeled the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) refusal to move up its debate schedule as “unacceptable” and suggested that the former president may bypass the body that has sponsored all general election presidential debates for decades.
In a statement, Trump campaign spokespeople Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles criticized the CPD’s schedule, which does not begin until after millions of Americans have already cast their ballots, as “a grave disservice to the American public who deserve to hear from both candidates before voting begins.”
The Trump campaign had requested that the CPD hold debates “much earlier” than the planned kickoff of the first debate in mid-September, as the former president pressured President Biden to go head-to-head.
Donald Trump (Credits: CNN)
The CPD stressed that the first debate, scheduled for September 16, will be “the earliest televised general election debate ever held.” The nonprofit also highlighted that it had conducted a comprehensive study of early voting rules in every state before selecting the debate dates.
Despite the CPD’s response, the Trump campaign remains committed to making the debates happen, with or without the commission’s involvement. LaCivita and Wiles invited every television network in America to host a discussion and called on Joe Biden’s team to work with them to set one up as soon as possible.
The debate over the debate schedule comes as President Biden has expressed his willingness to debate Trump, now that both 2024 hopefuls have secured the delegates they need to become their respective party’s presumptive nominees.
Donald Trump and Joe Biden (Credits: CTV News)
However, Biden and his campaign have largely avoided directly addressing debates with Trump, while the Republican has become more vocal about calling for the incumbent to take the stage and face off with him.
For now, the first presidential debate on the commission’s calendar is set for September 16 at Texas State University in San Marcos, followed by a vice presidential debate on September 25 at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Two more presidential debates are slated for October in Virginia and Utah.
Trump skipped all the GOP primary debates held this cycle, citing his polling advantage over his Republican rivals. He is currently on trial in New York, facing criminal charges in connection with a hush money payment made during the 2016 cycle.
