President Biden clapped back Monday at former President Donald Trump’s demand for a debate between them, but remained ambiguous about whether he would actually face off against his predecessor. 

“If I were him, I would want to debate me, too. He’s got nothing else to do,” Mr. Biden joked when asked about whether he’d debate Mr. Trump.

In a series of media appearances, Mr. Trump, the expected GOP presidential nominee, has urged the president to debate him ahead of the November election. 

“Oh will I look forward to that,” Mr. Trump told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt in December. “How about 10 debates?”

Mr. Trump has refused to participate in any GOP primary debates. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, the lone remaining challenger to Mr. Trump for the nomination, last month refused to attend any more debates unless it included the former president.

Looking ahead to the general election, it is unclear if there will be any debates this fall. 

The Biden campaign has dodged questions about whether the president would participate in debates. Quentin Fulks, Mr. Biden’s principal deputy campaign manager, told reporters in December they are focused on campaigning, not debating.

The Republican National Committee in April 2022 voted to withdraw from events planned by the Commission on Presidential Debates, citing political bias. The RNC also required candidates to sign a pledge that they would only participate in debates sanctioned by the committee, but Mr. Trump famously never signed the pledge.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.