United States President Joe Biden was interviewed by Howard Stern earlier this week, where he said that he would be “happy” to debate his presidential rival Donald Trump, Fox News reported.
“I don’t know if you’re going to debate your opponent,” Stern said.
The president replied: “I am, somewhere, I don’t know when. I’m happy to debate him.”
Political commentators quickly took to social media to joke that his staff must be panicking after the gaffe-prone president’s statement about the debate.
The recent comments of Biden, 81, represent a shift from past remarks about possibly debating Trump, 77.
Last month, he told reporters it would depend “on his behaviour.”
The Republican presidential candidate was quick to challenge his rival Democrat to debate him, declaring on Truth Social: “Everyone knows he doesn’t really mean it, but in case he does, I say, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, an old expression used by Fighters.”
Conservative social media accounts had similar responses on X, many of whom referred to Biden’s “handlers” being unhappy with his response.
“Crooked Joe Biden says he’s ‘happy to debate’ President Trump,” RNC Research wrote. “His handlers must be furious!”
“Biden weakly answers Howard Stern that he will debate Trump, HA!” Fox News host Jeanine Pirro wrote alongside a laughing emoji. “Guess his aides couldn’t stop Biden before he answered.”
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO — Joe Biden Staffers, after hearing Biden tell Howard Stern he will debate Trump,” commentator Kevin Dalton wrote.
“Idiot Joe Biden announced on Howard Stern’s radio show a willingness to debate Trump! Bring it on! No teleprompter Joe! #TRUMP2024ToSaveAmerica,” Fox News contributor Leo Terrell wrote.
