Biden says he will only debate Trump if he behaves: President say there is a chance of a 2024 on-stage battle with his rival - but it 'depends on his behavior'

President Joe Biden appeared open Friday to the idea of refusing to debate former President Donald Trump before the 2024 election.

The president spoke briefly about the debates during comments with reporters on the tarmac before leaving on Air Force One for a trip to Philadelphia. 

When asked by a reporter if he would commit to debating Trump, Biden replied shortly, 'Depends on his behavior.'

Biden's comment is the first reaction from the president in response to former President Donald Trump's debate challenge on Wednesday.

'It is important, for the Good of our Country, that Joe Biden and I Debate Issues that are so vital to America, and the American People,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform. 'Therefore, I am calling for Debates, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, ANYPLACE!' 

President Joe Biden appeared open Friday to the idea of refusing to debate former President Donald Trump before the 2024 election 

Donald Trump challenged Joe Biden to a debate on Wednesday, vowing to meet him 'ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, ANYPLACE!'

Questions about whether Biden would even show up at the debates began in earnest after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday repeatedly refused to commit Biden's attendance at the debates. The campaign also refused to commit, telling reporters they would discuss it 'at the appropriate time in this cycle.' 

Biden's answer drew derision from Trump staffers who mocked the president on social media.

'Crooked Joe is scared of debating,' wrote Trump campaign advisor Steven Cheung, sharing video of the exchange on X. 

The debates are organized and run by the Commission on Presidential Debates, which has already announced the scheduled events before Election Day.

The first debate will be held Sept. 16 at Texas State University in San Marcos, the second will be held Oct. 1 at Virginia State University in Petersburg, and the third and final debate will take place Oct. 9 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. The vice presidential debate will take place at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 25.

In the first 2020 presidential debate, Biden was thoroughly annoyed as Trump repeatedly interrupted and talked over his rival as moderator Fox News host Chris Wallace fought to keep both candidates in check. 

When Trump pressed Biden to answer a question about whether he would try to pack the Supreme Court, an exasperated Biden finally snapped. 

'Will you shut up, man?' he said.  

Wallace later described the debate as 'a terrible missed opportunity.'

'I never dreamt that it would go off the tracks the way it did,' he said.