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Donald Trump: The ex-president has not yet secured the Republican presidential candidacy
Photo: Ronda Churchill / REUTERS
Former President Donald Trump says he wants to hold a debate with US President Joe Biden immediately. “I would like to debate him now because we should debate. We should debate for the good of the country," Trump said in a radio show on Monday (local time) hosted by conservative commentator Dan Bongino.
When asked by reporters about Trump's demand for a debate during a trip to Las Vegas, Biden, a Democrat, said: "If I were him, I would want to debate me too. He has nothing to do.”
Haley's team taunts Trump
Trump is considered the favorite among Republicans to challenge Biden in the November 5 presidential election. The former president has not yet finalized the nomination, but clearly won the primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire.
He rejected his Republican rival Nikki Haley's request for a debate with her. In response to Trump's comments, Haley's campaign said in a statement that he was too cowardly. “Now it’s time for Trump to stand his ground and agree to a debate with Nikki Haley. "Nikki is ready to bring her conservative record and vision for a strong and proud America against Trump's campaign of chaos and vendetta," said Haley campaign spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas.
Trump and Biden debated twice in 2020
Haley, a former governor of South Carolina and ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, is far behind Trump in the polls. But she has vowed to continue challenging him for the nomination.
Trump's comments reflect a desire to focus on a likely election duel with Biden. Biden won the Democratic primary in South Carolina on Saturday and is expected to win his party's nomination.
Trump and Biden debated twice during the 2020 campaign. A third debate was canceled after Trump tested positive for Covid-19 and declined to participate in a virtual event. Traditionally there are three presidential debates.
hen/Reuters