Trump Cautious Optimism on CNN Fairness, Insists on Earlier Debates

Former President Trump expresses cautious optimism that CNN might be fair in the upcoming presidential debate, but insists that earlier debates are necessary due to early voting.

Former President Trump has expressed a glimmer of optimism that CNN "might" be fair to him at the first presidential debate, before specifying that there's a "good 10% chance" of that happening. Trump's guarded stance stems from his skepticism towards the network's past coverage of him.

Appearing on Logan Paul's "IMPAULSIVE" podcast, Trump discussed the June 27 political showdown he agreed to participate in with President Biden. He repeatedly insisted that Biden and his campaign didn't actually want the debate to happen and were shocked when he agreed to it.

Trump Cautious Optimism on CNN Fairness, Insists on Earlier Debates

"They [the Biden campaign] wanted to be seated, which I didn't like. I said we should stand and I think we won that point," Trump said. "But I would have agreed to whatever I had agreed to because they didn't want to do it. They thought that I wouldn't do it because it's CNN."

Trump also criticized CNN's Jake Tapper, who is set to moderate the first debate. He referred to Tapper as "Fake Tapper" and recalled an incident where Tapper cut away from his victory speech in January.

Trump Cautious Optimism on CNN Fairness, Insists on Earlier Debates

Despite his reservations about CNN, Trump acknowledged that he participated in a town hall with the network last year that worked out well. He expressed hope that CNN would make an effort to be fair in the upcoming debate.

"I think that it's important for there to be a debate. So [the Biden campaign] said, 'You want to debate?' 'Yep, I'll accept. You don't even have to tell me.' Then they said CNN, they said the different people that are involved, but let's see what happens," Trump said.

Trump Cautious Optimism on CNN Fairness, Insists on Earlier Debates

Trump stressed the importance of holding the debates earlier due to the widespread use of early voting. He argued that it's unfair to hold debates close to the election when millions of votes have already been cast.

"I think that there should be many more than two [debates]. I think that they should be spread out. I think that they should be all over the country. I think that they should be three hours long," Trump said.

Trump Cautious Optimism on CNN Fairness, Insists on Earlier Debates

The presidential debates were scheduled last month after Biden publicly challenged Trump to debate him in June and September, which Trump quickly accepted. The first debate on June 27 will be moderated by Tapper and Dana Bash, while the second debate on September 10 will be moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis.

A CNN spokesperson declined to comment on the Trump's statements, stating that details of the debate rules and format will be released closer to the event.