Trump throws down the debate gauntlet: Donald tells Biden he wants a primetime showdown next week and offers to come to the White House

Donald Trump seized on President Joe Biden's statement that he would be 'happy' to debate – offering to meet his rival immediately at the courthouse or the White House.

'He can do it anytime he wants including tonight. I'm ready. Here we are. I invited him to the courthouse,' Trump said Friday afternoon. 

Trump indicated he was willing to be flexible on the venue and the timing, although day-long court sessions scheduled for most of the week limit his options. 

'I just want to say that I've invited Biden to debate,' he said in Manhattan criminal court at the end of a day that featured testimony by ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker and longtime Trump Organization aid Rhona Graff. 

'He can do it any time he wants including tonight. Ready, where we are. I invited him to the courthouse,' Trump said, touting a venue he had blasted earlier for its 'freezing' temperatures.

'But we're willing to do it Monday night, Tuesday night, Wednesday night, Thursday night or Friday night on national television. We're ready.  Just tell me where,' he said.

'We'll do it at the White House - that would be very comfortable actually!' he joked.

Former President Donald Trump said he was willing to debate President Biden 'anytime,' and said he would do so as soon as tonight, with a showdown at a Manhattan criminal courthouse where his Stormy Daniels trial is underway or at the White House

An immediate presidential debate could cause logistical problems on stage and at home. Not only is there no venue or moderator set up, but Trump started the day wishing happy birthday to wife Melania, who he said was at home at Mar-a-Lago. He said he had plans to return there Friday.

Trump spoke hours after Biden finally confirmed he is ready to debate.

The 81-year-old confirmed he is 'happy' to take the stage with his 77-year-old rival in a softball interview with Howard Stern on Friday morning.

The White House and Biden-Harris campaign have danced around questions about the debate for months.

'I am, somewhere,' he said when asked if he is willing to debate Trump. 

'I don’t know when. I’m happy to debate him.'

President Joe Biden has finally confirmed he is ready to debate Donald Trump before the 2024 election

Trump senior advisor Chris LaCivita took minutes to respond to Biden's comments.

'Ok let's set it up,' he posted on X. 

Trump also responded during a break from the Manhattan hush money trial with a post on Truth Social.

But Trump himself has previously attacked the bipartisan commission on presidential debates, and blew up norms by bringing a Bill Clinton rape accuser in 2016 and a former Hunter Biden business associate in 2020.

Trump also has railed against debate moderators, complained about his microphone in a 2016 clash with Hillary Clinton, and skipped a 2020 debate. 

Trump had extended the offer earlier online, amid his attacks on a criminal trial he called 'rigged' and claims was being steered from Washington. 

'Crooked Joe Biden just announced that he’s willing to debate! Everyone knows he doesn’t really mean it, but in case he does, I say, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, an old expression used by Fighters. 

'I suggest Monday Evening, Tuesday Evening, or Wednesday Evening at my Rally in Michigan, a State that he is in the process of destroying with his E.V. Mandate. 

'In the alternative, he’s in New York City today, although probably doesn’t know it, and so am I, stuck in one of the many Court cases that he instigated as ELECTION INTERFERENCE AGAINST A POLITICAL OPPONENT - A CONTINUING WITCH HUNT! It’s the only way he thinks he can win. 

'In fact, let’s do the Debate at the Courthouse tonight - on National Television, I’ll wait around!

There are three presidential debates scheduled for before the November 5 general election.

Trump has vowed for weeks to take on his Democratic adversary 'any place, any time' before millions of Americans cast their ballots in a rematch of the 2020 election. 

Biden and Trump have already been at each others throats with just shy of seven months until the vote.

The 81-year-old confirmed he is 'happy' to take the stage with his 77-year-old rival in a softball interview with Howard Stern on Friday morning

Trump senior advisor Chris LaCivita took minutes to respond to Biden's comments. 'Ok let's set it up,' he posted on X.

The president has mocked the Republican at glitzy fundraisers for 'bleaching' his hair and hinted he deserves to be punched.

Trump has also railed at Biden most days he has been in court for the Manhattan hush money trial.

He claims the Democrat is behind his legal battles also has frequently scrutinized his fitness for office.