Donald Trump described President Biden as a “worthy debater” ahead of their first Presidential clash. The former President added that he did not want to underestimate Biden in remarks that surprised many commentators. Trump had spent months trying to persuade voters that Biden was incompetent and too old to see out another term.
In the run-up to the Atlanta debate, Trump repeatedly attacked Biden as “the worst President in American history” and imitated the President’s apparent inability to find his way off stage. He has also previously described the current Oval Office occupant as the worst debater he had ever faced. However, the former President reportedly re-watched some of Biden’s prior performances before concluding he would have to up his game.
The Atlanta event makes American history by pitting a sitting President against a former President for the first time. Their previous clashes in 2020 were characterized by hostile exchanges, as Biden repeatedly told Trump to “shut up.” Organizers said this campaign’s initial event would feature microphone muting to silence speakers who interrupt or speak for longer than their allotted time.
Meanwhile, speculation about Trump’s running mate intensified as he confirmed he would announce his choice in the days following the debate. Reports indicate that North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida comprise Mr. Trump’s final shortlist. The former President told reporters he has made his choice, but the contenders have remained relatively tight-lipped. JD Vance, however, confessed he would be “disappointed” if he were not chosen.
Furthermore, the Senator remarked that his 2016 comments about Donald Trump were “wrong.” Before the 2016 Presidential election, Vance said the infamous “Access Hollywood” tapes proved that Trump was not fit for the Presidency. He recently stated, however, that Mr. Trump’s four years in the White House proved him incorrect.
Reports indicate that Mr. Vance has been busily fundraising for the former President’s campaign and recently hosted an Ohio event that generated $5.5 million.
