Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is slated to host the third and final presidential debate of this election cycle, but a surprise announcement from President Joe Biden appears to have thrown cold water on those plans.
In a video message Wednesday, Biden said he would not participate in the traditional debates organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates. Instead, he challenged former President Donald Trump to a pair of debates, the first in June.
"Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020," the president said. "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. So let's pick the dates, Donald."
"I hear you're free on Wednesdays," Biden added, a reference to Trump's ongoing criminal trial in Manhattan, which doesn't convene on Wednesdays.
Later Wednesday morning, Trump and Biden agreed to a June 27 debate at CNN in Atlanta, with another debate slated for sometime in September. ABC announced it would host the second showdown on Sept. 10.
Trump's campaign also sent a memo to Biden's team calling for debates in July and August, in addition to a vice presidential debate.
Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he hasn't shown up for a debate.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 15, 2024
Now he's acting like he wants to debate me again.
Well, make my day, pal. pic.twitter.com/AkPmvs2q4u
Trump responded to Biden on Truth Social, calling the president "the WORST debater I have ever faced" and the "WORST President in the history of the United States, by far."
"I am Ready and Willing to Debate Crooked Joe at the two proposed times in June and September," Trump continued. "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!!!'"
The scheduled Oct. 9 debate in Salt Lake City was big news for the state when it was announced, as it promised to focus the eyes of the nation on the state's flagship university and capital city less than a month before the Nov. 5 general election.
The University of Utah has been working for years to secure the opportunity to host a presidential debate. Jason Perry, executive director of the university's Hinckley Institute of Politics, said the decision by the Biden campaign caught everyone involved off guard.
"We're disappointed," Perry told the Deseret News. "We have worked so hard to get ready for this debate. But this came as a surprise to everyone, including the Commission on Presidential Debates."
The Commission on Presidential Debates did not respond to a request for comment.
Utah Sen. Mitt Romney weighed in on the situation, telling Huffington Post's Igor Bobic: "It'll be entertaining and informative, like the two old guys on the Muppets." Bobic noted that Romney and Trump are both 77 years old.
Romney predicted the election would ultimately tip in Trump's favor, according to CNN's Manu Raju.
"I read the polls like everybody else," the Utah Republican said. "I think Donald Trump is gonna win. Obviously, I've been saying all along he's going to be the nominee, and I think he has the substantial edge on the final contest."
