Biden ‘committing’ to debate Trump again ‘whether he’s in or not’

"I hope he’ll debate me,” Biden said in response to questions. Biden continued by sounding like he was about to say he wouldn’t be surprised if Trump refused to debate, but was interrupted by reporters for a follow-up question.

“If [Trump’s] in, will you commit to debating him?” a reporter asked.

“I’m committing now, absolutely. Whether he’s in or not,” Biden responded firmly.

There has been widespread speculation that Biden might refuse to participate in a second debate with Trump following the chaotic and widely criticized first debate. After the first debate, Senior White House correspondent for CNN Kayla Tausche immediately reported that a Biden adviser confirmed the President’s desire to participate in a second debate.

"Not only does President Biden not plan to drop out, Biden remains committed to a second debate in September, an adviser tells me," Tausche wrote in a post on X.

The second debate is scheduled for September and will be hosted by ABC News. Both candidates had previously agreed to two debates before the first one was held.

It would come as a surprise to many should Biden participate in a second presidential debate. The first debate, held earlier than usual in the summer rather than closer to the election, raised widespread concerns about Biden's cognitive abilities and age.

Numerous post-debate polls have shown Trump gaining a larger lead against Biden in swing states and the general election. A post-debate poll from The New York Times and Siena College found Trump leading Biden 49 percent to 43 percent among likely voters. Among registered voters, Trump's lead is larger at 49 percent to 41 percent.