President Joe Biden’s campaign accused former President Donald Trump of “playing games” after he unilaterally announced a third debate with Biden, following their agreement on two debates.
Biden issued the challenge for two debates via social media on Wednesday morning, which Trump promptly accepted. The debates are scheduled for June 27 on CNN and September on ABC. However, Trump then surprised by announcing a third debate in October on Fox News, without consulting Biden’s camp.
Jen O’Malley Dillon, Biden-Harris 2024 Chair, released a statement expressing skepticism about Trump’s commitment to the debates and criticizing his history of gamesmanship.
“Donald Trump has a long history of playing games with debates: complaining about the rules, breaking those rules, pulling out at the last minute, or not showing up at all – which he’s done repeatedly in all three cycles he’s run for president,” Dillon wrote. “President Biden made his terms clear for two one-on-one debates, and Donald Trump accepted those terms. No more games. No more chaos, no more debate about debates. We’ll see Donald Trump on June 27th in Atlanta – if he shows up.”
Trump announced the third debate on Truth Social, stating his acceptance of a debate offer from Fox News, but without any immediate confirmation from Biden’s team.
