Jun 20, 2024 - Politics & Policy

"I don't underestimate him": Trump calls Biden a "worthy debater"

Sareen Habeshian

Former President Donald Trump gives the keynote address at Turning Point Action's "The People's Convention" on June 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Trump, who turned 78 years old yesterday on his birthday, will be debating President Joe Biden, age 81, next week on June 27 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo — Former President Trump on June 15, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Former President Trump called President Biden a "worthy debater" ahead of their June 27 showdown in an episode of the All-In Podcast that aired Thursday.

The big picture: Trump, who has questioned Biden's mental acuity and physical stamina, has previously baselessly suggested his rival relies on drugs for such public performances.

Zoom in: "I happen to think he's incompetent for a lot of reasons," Trump said in the podcast episode. "I think he's incompetent because he has gotten the worst policies, both foreign policy and internal policy."

Trump said Biden "destroyed Paul Ryan" in the 2012 vice presidential debate, so he's not underestimating him.
"I assume he's going to be somebody that will be a worthy debater. I don't want to underestimate him," Trump added.

Zoom out: Their debate next week on CNN will be one of the few opportunities for either candidate to propel to the front of an essentially tied race.

Still, both candidates have indicated they're not in a rush to start prepping for the publicly televised standoff, Axios' Hans Nichols reports.

Go deeper: The meme debate: Trump and Biden enter viral battlefield

Add Axios on Google

"I don't underestimate him": Trump calls Biden a "worthy debater"

What to read next