In a surprising turn of events, President Joe Biden has declined former President Donald Trump’s challenge to an 18-hole golf match and a second debate in Florida this week. The challenge came after the two sparred about their golfing credentials during a presidential debate, with Trump criticizing Biden’s skills and stamina.
“Sleepy Joe also declared that he wanted to test his skills and stamina against mine on the golf course. Can you believe this? Did you ever see him swing? That’s why this evening … I’m also officially challenging Crooked Joe to an 18-hole golf match,” Trump said at a campaign rally in Doral, Florida.
Trump sweetened the deal by offering to give Biden 10 strokes a side, totaling 20 strokes. He also proposed a $1 million donation to the charity of Biden’s choice should he win the match. “It will be among the most watched sporting events in history, maybe bigger than the Ryder Cup or even the Masters,” Trump declared, expressing his confidence in the event’s popularity.
So Trump just challenged Biden to a golf match. The Biden team responded mocking it and claims Biden “doesn’t have time” for these “weird antics.”
But it was actually *Biden* who initially challenged Trump at the debate to play golf with him! pic.twitter.com/HkOmBCVgfd
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 10, 2024
However, Biden’s response to the challenge was dismissive, with the Biden campaign releasing a statement claiming the president “doesn’t have time for Donald Trump’s weird antics.” The statement from Biden’s staff also took a jab at Trump’s record, stating, “We’d challenge Donald Trump to create jobs, but he lost 3 million. We’d challenge Donald Trump to stand up to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, but he bent the knee to him. We’d challenge Donald Trump to follow the law, but he breaks it. We’d challenge Donald Trump to not destroy our country, but that’s all his Project 2025 aims to do.”
Trump challenges Biden to an 18 hole golf match. Says he will give Biden 20 strokes and if he loses will donate $1 million to a charity of Biden’s choice. This is gold: pic.twitter.com/dDb8gcPczJ
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 10, 2024
The Biden campaign’s response not only declines the golf match but also avoids addressing Trump’s call for a second debate. This move comes amidst ongoing discussions about Biden’s age and mental fitness, which were highlighted during the first debate.
Biden: “Play me in golf, Jack!”
Trump: “Alright.”
Biden: “Play golf? I don’t have time for your antics!” pic.twitter.com/Vj0bU3ZzkL
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) July 10, 2024
The situation is further complicated by calls from prominent Democrats for Biden to withdraw from the race following his disastrous performance at the CNN debate. Many Democrats believe that Biden’s age and perceived lack of energy are liabilities that could cost them the election.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the decisions made by both candidates in the coming months will undoubtedly have a significant impact on their chances of securing the White House.
