Democratic strategist James Carville is willing to bet that former President Donald Trump will be a “no-show” at next week’s debate with President Joe Biden.
The debate is scheduled for June 27 on CNN and will be the earliest televised general election debate in history, according to Mediaite. It was just announced that the rules have been set and to the surprise of few, they favor Biden. Add to the mix that the moderators are Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, and the 81-year-old president has got to like his odds going up against Trump.
(Video Credit: MSNBC)
Carville appeared on MSNBC, with host Ari Melber referencing the rules to set his guest up.
“So I want to mention that for folks, we got the new rules,” Melber said. “This is next week. It will be different. No opening statements, two minutes to answer each question, red lights visible to candidate when time expires.”
“And a big win for the Biden campaign, given that Trump is a rule-breaker, the other candidate who’s not speaking will be muted when it’s not their turn,” he added. “Now, that in theory applies to both of them. But of course, more practically, having to wait your turn to speak is something that will affect Trump’s style of debate, if you want to call it that. There were a lot of interruptions last time.”
Melber ran a clip from a 2020 debate, in which Biden tells an interrupting Trump, “Will you shut up, man?”
He then asked Carville, “They did get progress on these rules. Will that matter or what will matter next week?”
“Well, if I was a gambler – and actually, I am a gambler – I’d take even money that Trump doesn’t show up,” the Democratic strategist replied.
The surprised MSNBC host interjected, “Ha! You don’t think Trump’s coming next week?”
“I mean, I don’t know, but I think he’s gonna wake up and decide,” Carville explained. “Just like he said he was gonna testify at his defense in his trial. He didn’t even put on a defense. Let him show up. I wouldn’t be shocked, but I certainly would not be surprised if you gave me even money, I’d say he’s a no-show.”
Social media users were willing to put their money on Biden backing out over Trump — here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:
LOL the only way Trump would skirt any debate with Biden is if Biden’s minions imprisoned him first (which is an actual possibility). Trump will run circles around Biden any day of the week.
— TheRightGirl (@TheRightGirl47) June 18, 2024
Wishful thinking. Trump will be there. Biden will be there physically but probably not mentally.
— CatDog99 (@dog99_cat) June 18, 2024
Why would Trump skip? All he has to do is show up – instant win.
— JazBInKC (@jazbinkc2) June 18, 2024
He is just spewing what he hopes will happen. He’s scared.
— Dr. Max Freedom (@MD4Trump20) June 18, 2024
If anyone bails, it’ll be Sleepy Joe.
— AppPatriotgirl (@jsmith4966) June 18, 2024
Let’s be clear. The rules do favor Biden. Trump will show up in hostile territory anyway, because unlike Biden, he doesn’t need people to hold his hand.
— M Brace (@MBrace777) June 18, 2024
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
- Trump: Maduro will take back Tren de Aragua gang members AND even supply transportation - February 1, 2025
- FBI Academy photo perfectly captures Trump’s war on DEI - February 1, 2025
- Mel Gibson speculates on whether there’s a ‘purpose’ behind devastating LA fires - January 11, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.