Presidential Debates Schedule Unchanged Despite Trump's Requests

The Commission on Presidential Debates has announced that it will proceed with its original debate schedule, despite requests from former President Trump's campaign for earlier and more frequent events.

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has reaffirmed its commitment to its original schedule for the 2024 presidential debates, despite pressure from former President Trump's campaign to alter the plans.

In November 2023, the CPD released its schedule for four debates: September 16, October 1, October 9, and a vice presidential debate on September 25. However, Trump's camp has been calling for earlier and more frequent debates, arguing that it would give voters a better opportunity to evaluate the candidates.

Despite these requests, the CPD has stated that its schedule remains unchanged. In a statement to Fox News Digital, the commission said, "The CPD's criteria […] will be applied in early September; afterward, the Commission will extend debate invitations to qualifying candidates."

The commission added that it is proceeding with its production and broadcast plans at the four debate sites it announced in November 2023.

President Biden has publicly expressed his willingness to debate his Republican opponent. During an interview with radio personality Howard Stern, Biden confirmed his intentions to debate, saying, "I am, somewhere, I don’t know when. I'm happy to debate him."

Trump has responded enthusiastically to Biden's statement, asserting that he is eager to debate under any conditions and at any time. On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Everyone knows he doesn’t really mean it, but in case he does, I say, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, an old expression used by Fighters."

Earlier this year, the Trump campaign sent a letter to the CPD requesting that the debate schedule be expanded and moved up on the calendar. Trump advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita argued that the commission "must move up the timetable of its proposed 2024 debates to ensure more Americans have a full chance to see the candidates before they start voting." They also proposed adding more debates to the schedule.

Prior to the Stern interview, the Biden camp had been less forthcoming about the president's willingness to debate. Biden himself had characterized Trump's emphasis on the question as desperate, saying, "If I were him, I would want to debate me, too. He’s got nothing else to do."

The first presidential debate is scheduled to take place on September 16 at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. The second debate will be in Petersburg, Virginia, on October 1, and the third will be held in Salt Lake City on October 9. A vice presidential debate is scheduled for September 25 in Easton, Pennsylvania.