Michael Whatley, the chair of the Republican National Committee, asserted on Thursday during an appearance on Newsmax that former President Donald Trump remains the Republicans’ strongest candidate heading into the upcoming general election.
Speaking on “American Agenda” despite the third day of Trump’s trial in New York City, Whatley dismissed concerns about the former president’s legal challenges potentially impacting his fundraising or electoral prospects.
According to Whatley, “the best thing that we’ve got is Donald Trump as our nominee,” emphasizing Trump’s commitment to campaigning and the need for the RNC to match his dedication in preparing for the election cycle, which is just over six months away.
Whatley also called on President Joe Biden to agree to a debate with Trump, arguing that when Republicans present their solutions alongside Democratic proposals, voters consistently favor the Republican stance.
He emphasized the importance of a debate between Trump and Biden for the American people to compare the candidates’ positions on key issues.
The call for debates gained traction as major news organizations, including The Associated Press, CBS News, ABC News, NBC News, and FOX News Media, jointly urged both Biden and Trump to commit to debates during the 2024 campaign season.
Biden had previously indicated that his willingness to participate in debates would depend on Trump’s behavior. When asked about the likelihood of debates between the two candidates, Whatley emphasized that the decision finally rested with Biden and highlighted Trump’s readiness to engage in debates anytime, anywhere, and on any platform.