Biden and Trump set for double face-off

WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump agreed on Wednesday to face off in two debates on June 27 and Sept 10, setting up the highest stakes yet in the race for the White House.

The sudden agreement, ending months of uncertainty over whether the debates would happen at all, came after Biden, 81, challenged his scandal-tinged Republican rival to "make my day".

Trump, 77, quickly responded that he was "ready to rumble". And within hours, CNN announced it would host the first debate in Atlanta on June 27 and ABC said it would stage the second on Sept 10.

With Trump leading polls in battleground states, Biden appeared to be trying to seize the initiative by proposing both the dates and an audience-free format for the debates.

Earlier, he said in a video on X: "Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. 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."

Biden also trolled Trump over his criminal hush money trial in New York, which features a midweek break, adding, "I hear you're free on Wednesdays."

Trump's swift acceptance reflected the fact that Trump, who avoided any debates with his Republican rivals, has been itching to get his message out after weeks stuck in court.

"Let's get ready to Rumble!!!" he wrote on his Truth Social platform, describing Biden as the "worst debater I have ever faced".

Independent US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr said on X he will meet the criteria to participate in the CNN debate before the June 20 deadline. It remains unclear if he will qualify.

Tight race

Debates, which will draw a live television audience in the tens of millions, are fraught with risks for both candidates, who face a tight race and low enthusiasm from voters.

Biden aides think debates could hurt Trump by exposing his positions on various issues, including abortion, that they regard as political vulnerabilities.

Trump aides see Biden as prone to verbal slip-ups that could amplify voter concerns about his age. Trump will be 78 by the time the first debate is held.

"Both candidates will be under greater scrutiny than they have ever been due to their age," said Alan Schroeder, a professor emeritus at Northeastern University who wrote the book Presidential Debates: Risky Business on the Campaign Trial. He called the debate "one of the only moments in which the candidates don't have complete control".

Agencies via Xinhua