Former President Trump met Thursday with Senators Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) to discuss policy and other topics that could come up in the first presidential debate later this month, several confirmed sources to The Colina.
Trump had what was described as a political discussion with the two senators during his visit to Washington, where he met with House Republicans, Senate Republicans and CEOs as part of a business roundtable.
Schmitt is a close Trump ally, while Rubio is among those being considered as a potential running mate on the Republican ticket.
The New York Times first reported at the meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the Republican National Committee.
Aides said Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, is not engaging in traditional debate preparation ahead of his showdown with President Biden on June 27. Instead, he’s holding meetings like the one Thursday with Rubio, Schmitt and members of his team to talk about potential topics that might come up.
“President Trump gives countless tough interviews every week and gives long speeches at stand-up rallies, demonstrating elite toughness,” Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller said in a statement.
The Times reported that Trump’s team spoke Thursday about how the former president might respond if the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack came to light, or if he were asked about his pledge to pardon the accused. in the riots that day.
Trump and Biden are expected to have two debates. The first will take place on June 27th in Atlanta and will be presented by CNN. The second is scheduled for September 10 in New York, presented by ABC News.
The former president pushed for months for debates with Biden, with Trump and his team expressing confidence that voters would not be impressed by the current president’s physical stamina and mental sharpness.
But Trump has a mixed disc in general election debates, and has not debated since the 2020 elections, having skipped all Republican primary debates in the 2024 cycle.
Biden has been traveling abroad for the past two weeks, but is expected to go to Camp David to prepare for the debate before the event.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
