US: Donald Trump offers to debate Joe Biden from courthouse

Trump challenged Biden to a debate, expressing openness to various formats, including one in a courthouse. Despite skipping GOP candidate debates earlier, he's keen on debating Biden before the 2024 election.

"Crooked Joe Biden just announced that he’s willing to debate! Everyone knows he doesn’t really mean it, but in case he does, I say, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, an old expression used by Fighters," Trump posted onTruth Social.

"I suggest Monday Evening, Tuesday Evening, or Wednesday Evening at my Rally in Michigan, a State that he is in the process of destroying with his E.V. Mandate," he further wrote.

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During an interview with radio host Howard Stern on Friday, Biden stated that he is willing to debate Trump.

"I am, somewhere, I don’t know when, but I am happy to debate him,” Biden said in the interview.

If the proposed dates are not feasible, Trump suggested holding the debate at the New York courthouse where he is facing trial for allegedly falsifying business records to conceal hush-money payments to a former Playboy Playmate and an adult film actress before the 2016 election.

"In the alternative, he’s in New York City today, although probably doesn’t know it, and so am I, stuck in one of the many Court cases that he instigated as ELECTION INTERFERENCE AGAINST A POLITICAL OPPONENT - A CONTINUING WITCH HUNT! It’s the only way he thinks he can win," Trump wrote.

"In fact, let’s do the Debate at the Courthouse tonight - on National Television, I’ll wait around!", he added.

Trump previously stated he's willing to campaign from the courthouse, seeing it as feasible.

He's using his New York trial to raise campaign funds, occasionally giving short speeches at news conferences. Trump will spend four days a week in court for several weeks.

Also watch |US Presidential Debate 2024: Biden agrees to debate Trump after months of evasion

In April 2023, he pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts related to payments to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump sees the legal challenges as a politically motivated attack. Polls suggest his supporters remain loyal regardless of the outcome. Biden has mostly avoided commenting on Trump's trials.

(With inputs from agencies)