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Biden Changes Tone, Says He Would Be 'Happy' To Debate Trump

President down in polls in six of seven swing states

(Morry Gash/AP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

President Joe Biden said Friday that he would be "happy" to debate former president Donald Trump ahead of the November election.

Radio host Howard Stern raised the question during his interview with Biden. "I am somewhere, I don't know when, but I'm happy to debate him," Biden responded.

Biden had long been circumspect about whether he would debate the presumptive GOP nominee. When asked the same question last month, Biden said, "It depends on his behavior."

Trump, who did not participate in the Republican primary debates, has repeatedly challenged Biden, saying he will debate the president "anytime, anywhere, anyplace."

Earlier this month, a group of television networks and other news organizations took the unusual step of posting an open letter that urged Trump and Biden to debate ahead of the election.

Trump campaign official Chris LaCivita responded to the news on X, formerly Twitter, writing, "Ok let's set it up!"

Recent polling shows Trump tied with Biden nationally, with Trump ahead in six of seven swing states.