Former President and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump has begun to express uncertainty about attending the scheduled debate with Vice President Kamala Harris on September 10.

On Sunday, Trump took to social media, branding the debate host “ABC FAKE NEWS” and questioning, “Why would I debate Kamala Harris on that network?” He also ridiculed ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos with the nickname “Liddle’ George Slopadopolus,” although Stephanopoulos is not part of the debate.

While campaigning on Monday at a Vietnamese eatery in Northern Virginia, Trump reiterated his hesitations about the debate, stating: “I think ABC really should be out. I’d prefer to debate on NBC or CBS. Honestly, I find CBS somewhat unfair, but it’s the best of the options. And of course, I would choose Fox.”

That certainly clarifies things. There has also been contention between the two camps over whether microphones should remain on at all times or muted when it’s not a candidate’s turn to speak. Trump appeared to undermine his team’s preference for muted mics, saying, “It doesn’t matter to me; I’d prefer it to be on.”

Trump’s 10 EXTREMELY REASONABLE DEBATE REQUESTS

It’s likely that more demands and disagreements will arise before Trump makes his final decision about attending the debate.

To expedite the process, I’ve put together a list of all the EXTREMELY REASONABLE DEMANDS Trump should propose before the Sept. 10 debate:

• President Donald J. Trump will be referred to at all times as either “President Donald Trump” or “President Trump.” His lectern will display the presidential seal. Vice President Kamala Harris will be labeled as “Comrade Kamala” or “Crazy Kamabla,” and her lectern will be adorned with a hammer-and-sickle flag due to her socialist, Marxist communist beliefs.
• President Trump’s microphone will be active at all times, and anyone who attempts to turn it off will face severe consequences.
• The audience at the debate will be described as the largest ever in debate history, possibly the biggest crowd anyone has ever witnessed.
• Joe Biden must be beside Comrade Kamala throughout the debate to allow President Trump to utilize his arsenal of “Sleepy Joe” jokes that he prepared before Biden’s unjust departure from the race. WHERE’S HUNTER?!?
• Moderators will include Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump himself.
• Responses from Comrade Kamala will be limited to 10 seconds, as she generally has nothing substantial to say. A loud, classy buzzer will signal when her time is up.
• President Trump’s responses will have no time limitations to guarantee the debate achieves unprecedented viewership ratings.
• The debate will include no fewer than three inquiries about the “late, great Hannibal Lecter.”
• During commercial breaks, President Trump will enjoy McDonald’s cheeseburgers.
• There will be a single, clear winner declared in the debate, and that winner will be President Trump. Should anyone suggest that Comrade Kamala emerged victorious, the debate will be deemed RIGGED and COMPLETELY BIASED, with President Trump attributing all blame to George Slopadopolus.

Follow YSL News columnist Rex Huppke on X, formerly known as Twitter, @RexHuppke, and on Facebook at facebook.com/RexIsAJerk