Former President Donald Trump reaffirmed his readiness to engage in a debate with President Joe Biden as the 2024 Republican front-runner during a Fox News town hall in Greenville, South Carolina, on Tuesday.
His emphasis included knocking the left's ban on gas stoves and push for electric vehicles.
🇺🇸 #Trump2024NowMorethanEver
Donald Trump on gas stove bans, EV push: 'They're maybe mixed up, confused' | FOXhttps://t.co/4bccc7KdFv— Gus Tywind XXII 🚚🚜🛻🗣️ (@2B539087G8) February 21, 2024
When asked by host Laura Ingraham if he would challenge President Biden to a debate, Trump promptly responded, "I’ll do it right now on your show. I’ll challenge him right now."
Addressing the live audience, Trump emphasized his willingness to engage in debates, stating, "I’ll take anybody," while stressing the importance of such discussions in the political arena.
Expressing skepticism about Biden's willingness to participate, Trump asserted, "I don’t think he’s going to debate. I really don’t think so."
This exchange follows Trump's previous challenge to Biden to engage in debates, to which the president responded with a dismissive remark, suggesting Trump had "got nothing else to do."
Despite his own prior absence from GOP primary debates, Trump emphasized the importance of strategic participation, stating, "When you debate, you want to be smart. You don’t have to waste your time."
The timing of Trump's Fox News appearance coincides with the impending South Carolina Republican presidential primary, where public opinion polls indicate his substantial lead over his major rival, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley.
However, Haley's determination to continue her presidential bid was evident in her remarks preceding Trump's town hall.
Refuting speculation about dropping out of the race, Haley asserted, "I refuse to quit. South Carolina will vote on Saturday. But on Sunday, I’ll still be running for president. I’m not going anywhere."
Despite Trump's criticism of Haley's prospects, she remains resolute in her commitment to the campaign.
"The Biden administration has published a rule aimed at requiring some gas and electric stoves to be more efficient — but, following immense political blowback, the requirements for gas stoves are significantly weaker than what it initially proposed," the Hill reported.
"The Energy Department said in a press release that 97 percent of gas stoves and 77 percent of electric stoves on the market already meet the requirements it is proposing," in the watered-down rule.
As the race intensifies, Trump's campaign projects confidence in securing the GOP nomination by the middle of the following month, while blasting Biden and Haley on the way.
