Former President Donald Trump said the next presidential debate should be hosted by Fox News, not “Fake News ABC,” following President Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.
“A debate with the worst President in American history, Evil Joe Biden, was scheduled to air in September on Fake News ABC, home of George Slopadopolos. No wonder Joe has dropped out of the race. Whoever the Radical Left Democrats choose, I believe the debate should be on Fox News, not biased ABC. Thank you!” Trump posted on Truth Social late Sunday afternoon.
Trump’s comments came after Biden formally dropped out of the 2024 presidential race after Democratic allies had been stepping up pressure for weeks for Biden to step aside and hand the reins to someone better suited to beat Trump in November. The calls for Biden to withdraw stem from concerns about his mental health and his age, 81, which has seen him come under intense scrutiny after his brutal debate defeat last month.
“Serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my life. Seeking reelection “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country for me to step aside and focus on fulfilling the duties of my presidency for the remainder of my term,” Biden said in the letter posted to X on Sunday afternoon.
With Biden’s campaign halted, what’s next for Democrats?
Former President Donald Trump attends a town hall meeting hosted by Fox News in Greenville, South Carolina on February 20, 2024. (Fox News)
Shortly after the announcement, the president endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate. Harris is Biden’s most likely candidate to run on his behalf, but she will need to become the official nominee at next month’s Democratic National Convention.
Read: Biden withdraws from 2024 race via letter
“My first decision as the party’s nominee in 2020 was to select Kamala Harris as my vice president, and it was the best decision I ever made. Today I fully endorse and support Kamala as our party’s nominee this year. Democrats, it’s time to unite and defeat Trump. Let’s do it,” Biden said.
Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who dropped out of the 2024 presidential race. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
CNN hosted the first presidential debate in June, and ABC News is set to host the second in September. With Biden out of the race, Trump has asked for the debate to be rescheduled and for Fox News to host it instead. It’s unclear who Trump will debate until the Democratic National Committee certifies the candidates.
Trump and his campaign have hosted two Fox News debates this election, including a presidential debate on Oct. 2 and a vice presidential debate at a date yet to be set.
‘Proud of our president’: Democrats praise Biden’s decision to end 2024 campaign
“Villain Joe Biden is, hands down, the worst president in the history of our country,” Trump said shortly after Biden’s announcement.
Many lawmakers are backing Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed Biden in the 2024 presidential election. (AP Photo/Molly Gash)
Biden withdraws from 2024 rematch with Trump, ends bid for second term in White House
“He has done everything to destroy our Country – from our southern border to our energy advantage, our national security and our international standing. He was annihilated in earth-shattering debates and now a corrupt Radical Democrat Party is trying to throw him overboard. He was unfit for State service from the start, but those around him lied to America that he was in complete mental, physical and cognitive decline. No matter who the Left puts in office now, it will only be the same person. Make America Great Again!” Trump posted.
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The 45th president added in a phone interview with CNN that Harris is an easier candidate to beat than Biden.
In a follow-up post on Truth Social on Sunday evening, Trump wrote that his campaign was “forced to spend time and money fighting the evil Joe Biden” before dropping out of the race.
“Shouldn’t the Republican Party be compensated for wrongdoing in that everyone around Joe, including his doctors and the Fake News Media, knew he was incapable of running for or being President? Just asking,” Trump wrote.
The ABC News debate is scheduled for September 10th.
