Psaki Casts Doubt on Trump-Biden Debate Agreements

Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki expresses skepticism about the scheduled debates between President Biden and former President Trump, citing potential objections from Trump and the pressure on Biden to appear decisive.

Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki, now an MSNBC host, has raised doubts about the viability of the scheduled debates between President Biden and former President Trump. Psaki warned that Trump could potentially object to the terms set by Biden's team, causing the agreements to collapse.

Despite Biden's agreement to two debates, hosted by CNN on June 27 and ABC on September 10, Psaki suggested that Trump could withdraw his participation. She cited his history of reneging on commitments and his tendency to dispute terms he has previously agreed to.

"Trump could certainly say, 'I never agreed to those terms in the letter,' and he probably will," Psaki said. "That's how this all falls apart."

Psaki's concerns stem from the pressure Biden faces to engage in debates with Trump, particularly amid ongoing anti-Israel protests and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. She believes that Biden's team felt compelled to make the first move and challenge Trump to a debate to avoid appearing reactive.

"I think internally they knew that at some point this was going to hit a head," Psaki said. "They were either going to be ahead of it, or they’d be responding to Trump."

However, Psaki praised Biden's team for presenting a set of rules for the debates, including holding them in a TV studio with automatic microphone cut-offs. She described this move as "smart" and a way to prevent Trump from dominating the debates.

Psaki also acknowledged the public's desire to see debates between the two candidates, recognizing the significance of those events in the electoral process. She emphasized the importance of having clear agreements and rules to ensure fair and productive debates.

"The American people like to see the candidates go toe-to-toe," Psaki said. "But it has to be managed, and it has to be fair."

In conclusion, Psaki's skepticism about the Trump-Biden debates highlights the challenges of organizing and conducting debates between two candidates with contrasting styles and divergent values. While the public may anticipate these debates with eagerness, the uncertainties surrounding them cast doubt on their ultimate realization.