By Tony Bruce, Mary Jones | Wednesday, June 26, 2024 | 3 min read
Donald Trump’s campaign is working overtime to find an excuse for him to skip Thursday’s presidential debate, and the latest tactic is particularly absurd. Trump and his former White House doctor, Representative Ronny Jackson, have suggested that President Joe Biden will use performance-enhancing drugs before the debate. This theory, part of their strategy to undermine the event, escalated when Trump posted a letter from Jackson to Truth Social, demanding that Biden submit to a drug test.
Jackson’s letter demands Biden take a clinically validated drug test to reassure the public of his mental fitness, claiming Biden relies on performance-enhancing drugs for debate performance. This demand is grounded in unfounded accusations from Trump and right-wing media about Biden’s cognitive health. Jackson’s letter references a doctored video of Biden at the G7 conference and a contested report from Robert Hur questioning Biden’s memory.
This drug test drama, along with claims that CNN will host a biased debate, reeks of desperation. Trump, known for erratic and incoherent speech and a tendency to go off on tangents, has historically fared poorly in debates against Democrats. Despite his ability to energize crowds, he struggles to perform convincingly in debates.
Meanwhile, Jackson faces scrutiny of his own. The House Ethics Committee is reviewing a report suggesting he misused campaign funds for personal expenses. Jackson, demoted by the U.S. Navy in 2022 for inappropriate conduct, was recently filmed in a profanity-laced tirade against a Department of Public Safety officer.
This concocted controversy highlights Trump’s reluctance to engage directly in the upcoming debate, preferring to cast doubt on its fairness and create a pretext for avoidance.
Former Republican Spokesperson Tim Miller: Trump Shows Worry Ahead of First Debate with Biden
Former Republican National Committee spokesperson Tim Miller has highlighted two key signs that indicate Donald Trump is anxious about his upcoming first presidential debate with President Joe Biden, set to be hosted by CNN on Thursday.
For months, Trump and his allies have tried to depict Biden as a president in cognitive decline, suggesting he is unfit for office. However, multiple commentators have suggested this narrative could backfire on Trump, as it has set an exceptionally low bar for Biden to exceed. In response, Trump and his MAGA supporters have baselessly claimed that Biden might be “jacked-up” on performance-enhancing substances when he steps up to the lectern in Atlanta.
Miller also emphasized Trump’s recent denial over allegations that he disparaged America’s war dead as “suckers” and “losers” during a conversation with his then-chief of staff John Kelly on a trip to France in 2018.
“To me, this also indicates his concern about the upcoming debate,” Miller commented. “He seems to be anticipating potential attacks from Joe Biden and preemptively trying to mitigate their impact.”
Miller acknowledged that Biden’s campaign has effectively turned Trump’s own comments against him.
“I believe there’s ample evidence that Trump is worried about the debate,” Miller stated. “How exactly this manifests in his unconventional approach and whether he’s adequately preparing remains unclear, but it’s clear to see that he is apprehensive.”
