The full memorandum, first published by Politico, argued that waiting for the traditional fall debate schedule would be too late. It recommended that Biden debate Trump "as early as possible" to reach voters before early ballots were cast in key states and before the race became mired in summer conventions and the Paris Olympics.

Aides told former President Joe Biden he would debate Donald Trump from "a position of strength." The June 2024 showdown didn't turn out that way.

The strategy would allow Biden to take on Trump before early voting in battleground states kicked off, setting terms most advantageous for Biden and highlighting his "leadership," according to a memo.