Staff Reports
The former President Donald Trump’s campaign recently criticized the Commission on Presidential Debates for 2024’s debate schedule. The commission organized four debates for September and October, which the campaign found “unacceptable” because they start after many Americans have already voted. The campaign argued that the debates should be moved up due to early voting laws in several states. However, the commission refused to change the schedule.
Trump Campaign Slams Debate Commission's 'Unacceptable' Scheduling Decision: 'A Grave Disservice to the American Public' via @WestJournalism https://t.co/3fr26v3Jdi
— Vicki (@gojeffie24) May 1, 2024
Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, representatives from Trump’s campaign, issued a joint statement condemning the commission’s refusal to adjust the dates as a disservice to the American public. They emphasized that the public deserves to hear from both candidates before voting begins. Despite the schedule, the campaign affirmed Trump’s commitment to participating in debates and extended an invitation to all television networks to host a debate.
The first presidential debate is set for September 16 at Texas State University, followed by a vice presidential debate on September 25 at Lafayette College. Two more presidential debates are scheduled for October, to be held at Virginia State University and the University of Utah. Each debate will last 90 minutes without any commercial breaks.
The Commission on Presidential Debates faced criticism in 2020 for selecting moderators perceived as biased against Trump. The backlash also arose when a debate was canceled due to Trump’s COVID diagnosis, and he requested the debate to be rescheduled for an in-person appearance.
The upcoming debates and their scheduling have sparked controversy, as Trump’s campaign and the commission hold differing views on the timing of the events. The upcoming debates and the unfolding dynamics between the commission and the Trump campaign have drawn attention in the political landscape, setting the stage for a series of highly anticipated events leading up to the 2024 election.
