Debate commission keeping original schedule despite Trump's pleas for more events

The Commission on Presidential Debates said on Tuesday that it will stick to its original schedule for four debates later this year, despite former President Donald Trump's requests to move them earlier and add more.

The Trump campaign requested earlier this month that the debate schedule be expanded to include additional debates, and for them to start earlier in the calendar so that early voters had a better chance of seeing the candidates.

The first debate is scheduled for Sept. 16 in Texas, with the second on Oct. 1 in Virginia and a third on Oct. 9 in Utah. There will also be a debate for vice presidential candidates on Sept. 25, in Pennsylvania, but Trump has not announced his running mate so far.

“The CPD’s criteria … will be applied in early September; afterward, the Commission will extend debate invitations to qualifying candidates," the commission told Fox News. "The CPD is proceeding with production and broadcast plans at its four debate sites as announced on November 20, 2023."

The Trump campaign said the rejection was a "grave disservice to the American public," because the debates will begin after millions have already voted. 

"This is unacceptable, and by refusing to move up the debates, they are doing a grave disservice to the American public who deserve to hear from both candidates before voting begins," the campaign told the New York Post. "President Trump has stated he will debate Joe Biden anytime, anywhere, anyplace, and Joe Biden himself just agreed to debate. We are committed to making this happen with or without the Presidential Debate Commission. We extend an invitation to every television network in America that wishes to host a debate, and we once again call on Joe Biden’s team to work with us to set one up as soon as possible."

The statement comes after Biden said he was willing to debate Trump last week.

"I am, somewhere, I don’t know when," Biden told radio host Howard Stern on Friday. "I'm happy to debate him." 

Trump responded that he doubted the president would actually debate him, but challenged him to a debate "anytime, anywhere, any place," and even suggested that the debates take place in the courthouse in Manhattan where his hush money trial is currently underway or the White House.