Biden, Trump agree to hold first presidential debate June 27

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, agreed to hold the first presidential debate on June 27 as the campaign season prepares to enter high gear ahead of November's national election.

"I’ve received and accepted an invitation from @CNN for a debate on June 27th. Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place," Biden said on X.

Biden also released a video in which he said, "Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn’t shown up for a debate. Now he’s acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. I'll even do it twice."

Earlier Wednesday, Trump said on his Truth Social network that he is "ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September."

"I would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue, although Biden is supposedly afraid of crowds - That’s only because he doesn’t get them. Just tell me when, I’ll be there. 'Let’s get ready to Rumble!!!'" he added.

CNN, the television network that will host the first debate, said the Trump campaign confirmed the date. The second debate has yet to be scheduled but is likely to be in September before early voting begins.

But Biden said in another X post that he "received and accepted an invitation" to debate Trump on Sept. 10. That face-off would be hosted by the ABC television network, he said.

Biden earlier this month said during an interview with radio host Howard Stern that he would be "happy" to debate Trump. The two campaigns have spent the past couple of weeks attempting to iron out the details.

CNN said the June 27 debate will be held at 9 p.m. Eastern Time in a studio at the television networks' Atlanta, Georgia headquarters. No audience will be present "to ensure candidates may maximize the time allotted in the debate."

To participate, candidates must receive at least a 15% approval rating in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters. That means independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will unlikely qualify for the showdown. Kennedy polls at around 8% nationally on surveys on which he is included.

Debate moderators will be announced at a later date.