NBC’s Chuck Todd Finds It ‘Funny’ Trump So Eager to Debate Biden: ‘They Don’t Help Him’

NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd said on Thursday that former President Donald Trump should not be so eager to debate President Joe Biden.

Todd appeared on MSNBC with Chris Jansing and responded to Trump calling for a debate with Biden now that the two are the presumptive nominees for Republicans and Democrats.

“Frankly, it’s sort of funny to me that Trump’s the one calling for them right now because I think they don’t help him. Debates don’t help him,” Todd said.

Trump has called for a debate with Biden “anytime, anywhere, anyplace.” In an exchange with Fox News reporter Peter Doocy on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jeane-Pierre would not confirm if Biden would be attending any debates with Trump, referring the question to his campaign.

Todd argued on Thursday that Biden likely would participate because he’s a “traditionalist.”

Trump’s call for a debate with Biden comes as his campaign and allies have made Biden’s age central to their criticisms. Biden is currently 81, while Trump is 77. The ad drops amid public concern about Biden’s age, according to recent polling. An ad released by a pro-Trump Super PAC on Thursday questioned whether Biden could even survive a second term in office. Biden’s campaign called the ad “sick and deranged.”

Todd said he’s unsure of whether Biden would benefit from debates, but he argued “more of Trump” will not be good with independent voters.

“I don’t know whether they are going to help Biden or not, but I don’t think they help much at all,” he argued. “More Trump is never usually helpful to winning over swing voters.”

Watch above via NBC.