Trump floats drug test for Biden, self ahead of first debate

Former President Donald Trump on Monday suggested that he and President Joe Biden should submit to a drug test prior to their participation in the first presidential debate on Thursday.

"DRUG TEST FOR CROOKED JOE BIDEN??? I WOULD, ALSO, IMMEDIATELY AGREE TO ONE!!!" he posted on Truth Social.

Biden has for years faced scrutiny over his age and fitness for office. Trump previously suggested that Biden would be "jacked up" on drugs during the debate and speculated that the president had been using cocaine during the State of the Union in order to deliver a solid performance.

Polling data from J.L. Partners earlier this month indicated that 49% of likely voters expected Biden to forget where he is during the debate, while a further 41% believed he would walk to the wrong side of the stage.

"They show voters' deep concerns about his ability to govern," J.L. Partners pollster James Johnson said at the time. "However, there may be a medium-term win for Biden in that Trump has clearly set expectations for Biden in the debate very low."

Trump's remarks come as former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, similarly called for drug testing in a letter to Biden and his physician.

"American citizens must have absolute confidence in their President's ability to perform his or her duties as Head of State and Commander in Chief, and the debate performance absolutely should be indicative of an individual's ability to perform these critical duties free of any performance enhancing drugs or mood-altering medications," he wrote.