On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sparred with a reporter about whether Democratic President Joe Biden will debate Republican front-runner and former President Donald Trump before November’s election.
“Is President Biden going to commit to a debate with President Donald Trump?” asked Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy.
“That’s something for the campaign to speak to,” responded Jean-Pierre.
“Well, we know when the debates are going to be. We know where they are going to be. Is he going to go?” Doocy questioned again.
“You should speak to the campaign,” Jean-Pierre replied.
Doocy reminded her that in 2020, Biden said he could “hardly wait to debate” the former president.
“You sound like a broken record. You should reach out to the campaign,” repeated Jean-Pierre several times during the White House press briefing.
“Why is this a campaign thing?” Doocy shot back.
“Because it’s an election. It’s a debate for the 2024 election,” said Jean-Pierre.
Doocy continued pressing Jean-Pierre for an answer and raised questions about the increasing concerns surrounding President Biden’s “age and acuity” that may cause him not to debate.
“That’s something for the campaign to speak to, not going to speak about that. But to your question about age, I think I sort of answered that. You know, you are going to see the State of the Union tomorrow. You are going to hear the president lay out his plans. You are going to hear the president, a president who has had a successful three years of progress, still a lot more work to be done,” said Jean-Pierre.
Jean-Pierre then listed the president’s accomplishments and record.
Doocy still didn’t back down, even after Jean-Pierre’s long-winded answer.
“So just for clarity, it’s possible there will be no Joe Biden-Donald Trump debate?” asked Doocy.
“Is that what you are excited about?” Jean-Pierre asked. “You asked me three or four different times in different ways.”
Jean-Pierre then moved on to questions from a different reporter.
Trump calls for debate with Biden
During a Super Tuesday television panel, former White House press secretary and Fox News host Dana Perino said Trump should have called for a debate with Biden when he gave his victory speech. But on Wednesday afternoon, the former president called for a debate with Biden.
“It is important, for the Good of our Country, that Joe Biden and I Debate Issues that are so vital to America and the American People,” wrote Trump on Truth Social.
“Therefore, I am calling for Debates, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, ANYPLACE! The Debates can be run by the Corrupt DNC or their Subsidiary, the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). I look forward to receiving a response. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” continued Trump.
