Internet skeptical as Bill Maher predicts Biden will debate Donald Trump and it's 'gonna be bad' for him

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: As the political landscape continues to simmer with speculation and anticipation, a recent prediction by Bill Maher on his show 'Real Time' has ignited a fervent debate across the Internet.

Maher boldly prophesied that President Joe Biden will square off against his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, in a debate, but cautioned that it could spell trouble for the current commander-in-chief.

Maher and guests discuss potential Biden-Trump faceoff

According to Fox News, during a lively discussion on the 'Overtime' segment of his show, Maher posed a thought-provoking question to his guests: will Biden agree to a debate with Trump, and should he? The ensuing conversation delved into the potential pitfalls awaiting Biden if he were to engage in such a high-stakes verbal duel.

Expressing his apprehensions, Maher remarked, "I think it's gonna be bad on Biden if he goes into the debate." He drew attention to the curious perception disparity between the two septuagenarians, noting that despite their similar ages, Trump exudes a vitality that belies his years, while Biden sometimes appears vulnerable to criticism regarding his age and vigor.

Echoing Maher's sentiments, British TV personality Piers Morgan emphasized Trump's formidable prowess in live debates and highlighted Biden's relatively sparse interactions with the press. "Trump would destroy him in a live debate. He would destroy Biden in a live debate," Morgan asserted. "How many live press conferences has Joe Biden done? I mean, there's a reason they don't put him in front of a large gathering of the media for a sustained period of time taking questions. There's a reason."

The consensus among the panelists seemed to be that Trump, with his unorthodox debating style and penchant for dominating the stage, would hold a considerable advantage over Biden in such a forum. "Yeah, that's true," Maher concurred, acknowledging the validity of Morgan's observations.

William Shatner's take on debates

Veteran actor and television icon William Shatner, affectionately dubbed the "old wise one" by Maher, injected a dose of pragmatism into the discussion by pointing out that Biden's past debate performances haven't necessarily involved directly answering questions. "They're not really debates. Ever," Maher chimed in. "We really haven't had debates. They're both on the stage, they ask a question, they say whatever they want, they talk over each other-"

"Or in [Trump's] case, talk behind each other," Shatner quipped, alluding to Trump's 2016 town hall debate with Hillary Clinton. "Right, Trump does that," Maher conceded before telling Shatner, "We got to go on the road together."

While Trump has repeatedly expressed eagerness for a rematch with Biden, the president has yet to formally commit to any debates. In light of this uncertainty, several news organizations, including Fox News, issued a joint statement urging both candidates to publicly pledge their participation in debates. "If there is one thing Americans can agree on during this polarized time, it is that the stakes of this election are exceptionally high," the organizations wrote. "Amidst that backdrop, there is simply no substitute for the candidates debating with each other, and before the American people, their visions for the future of our nation."

Maher's prediction comes amidst ongoing deliberations within political circles about the optimal strategy for Biden's public appearances. Some argue for a more cautious approach, reminiscent of his "basement" strategy during the 2020 campaign, while others advocate for increased visibility and engagement with the electorate.

Maher himself previously advocated for a more subdued approach, suggesting that Biden could afford to limit his public appearances and focus on delivering occasional impactful speeches. "We said, 'Yeah, well he can't do what he did last time, because there was a pandemic, stay in his basement.' Yes, he can," Maher said. "No one gives a s--- about that. The chattering classes will talk about it. And the public will be like, what do I care?! I don't want to watch this all the time anyway! I don't need to see him every day. He doesn't need to go around the country. Stay where you are. Every once in a while, make a speech like this."

Bill Maher's prediction leaves Internet abuzz

X users have responded with a mix of skepticism and humor to Bill Maher's prediction of a potential debate between President Biden and former President Trump.

One user wrote, "I don’t think it will happen, but I hope he’s right."

Another added, "That’s not possible this time."

One commented, "Good luck to them."

Someone else replied, "Will Trump be able to stay awake?"

One user said,"Trump might end with an elder abuse charge if they debate."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online