Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is keeping mum on whether he would participate in a general election debate against former President Donald Trump if he becomes the Republican Party’s presidential nominee. This has drawn criticism from conservatives who argue that it gives Biden an excuse to avoid debating Trump.
The Trump campaign announced on Truth Social, the former president’s own social media platform, that he would not be participating in the upcoming Republican National Committee primary debate. However, this decision was not entirely unexpected, as both the campaign and Trump himself had previously expressed doubt about his attendance.
In his post on Truth Social, Trump boasted about his high approval ratings and declared, “I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!” He cited his accomplishments during his presidency, such as energy independence, strong borders, and tax cuts, as reasons for his decision.
Despite initially considering showing up to the debate, Trump ultimately chose not to. Instead, he is set to be interviewed by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson on the platform formerly known as Twitter.
.@JoeBiden's reelection campaign wouldn't say Tuesday whether he would participate in a general election debate with Donald Trump if he becomes the GOP's presidential nominee.https://t.co/py0uGHlqcF
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 22, 2023
Former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, now a contributor for Fox News, criticized Trump’s decision, calling it a “political miscalculation.” She argued that Trump is inadvertently giving Biden an excuse to skip debates by setting a precedent of not participating.
It remains to be seen whether Biden would use Trump’s absence as an excuse to avoid debating him if he becomes the GOP nominee. However, Biden’s campaign did comment on Trump’s absence from the primary debate, pointing to the closure of a manufacturing deal in Wisconsin as evidence of Trump’s failed record on the economy.
It’s disappointing to see Biden’s campaign avoiding the question of whether he would debate Trump. Debates are important opportunities for voters to hear directly from the candidates and for them to defend their policies and positions. By dodging this question, Biden’s campaign is once again showing a lack of transparency and accountability.
Trump’s decision not to participate in the primary debate is also questionable. While he may be confident in his current lead, it’s important for candidates to engage in debates and articulate their plans for the future. This move gives the impression that Trump is avoiding tough questions and shying away from direct confrontation with his opponents.
Overall, the lack of commitment to debates from both candidates is disappointing and does a disservice to the American people. Voters deserve to hear from the candidates and see how they perform in high-pressure situations. It’s crucial for these candidates to step up and face each other on the debate stage.
