“At any time or place.” Trump invites Biden to a public debate

Former US President Donald Trump invited current President Joe Biden to hold an election debate in any place he chooses, after the nominations of both the Democratic and Republican parties became almost certain.

Former US President Donald Trump on Wednesday challenged current President Joe Biden to an election debate with him after the two men emerged from the primaries as almost certain candidates for the Republican and Democratic parties in the presidential elections scheduled for November.

Trump said: “It is important, for the sake of our country, that Joe Biden and I discuss issues that are very vital to America and the American people.”

He added in a post on his “Truth Social” platform: “I call for debates, anytime and anywhere.”

Trump, who is approximately 77 years old, reserved the Republican Party's presidential nomination during the Super Tuesday elections, which witnessed his victory in 14 out of 15 states, as his rival, Nikki Haley, took the state of Vermont from him before announcing her withdrawal from the race later.

Biden, 81, also won all states except the small Pacific region of American Samoa. Trump will almost certainly be his opponent in the November election.

Trump had rejected repeated invitations by Haley and his other main rivals in the Republican Party to participate in debates during the primary elections, because he believed that he would not gain anything from competitors who were far ahead in the polls.

But the situation is different now, as the difference between him and Biden in the polls is within the margin of error, so he changed his position and expressed his willingness to participate in debates, even if they were hosted by the Democratic Party, according to American media.

The duo faced off in two debates in 2020, the first of which was marred by chaos as Trump spent most of the time shouting at Biden, and a third debate was canceled due to Covid.

Trump also pledged a "swift response" to Biden's State of the Union address, saying that "it's important for the country to get the truth."

On Thursday, under the dome of the Capitol, Biden will deliver his annual State of the Union address, which gives him the opportunity to present his achievements, formulate his public policies, and his view of governing for another four years.