Haberman: Trump said he interrupted Biden too much in 2020 debate

New York Times political correspondent Maggie Haberman weighed in on the upcoming debate between former President Trump and President Biden, noting that Trump acknowledged he interrupted Biden “too much” in their first 2020 debate.

Haberman spoke to CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Wednesday night about the preparation Trump is likely undergoing ahead of next week’s debate. She suggested the former president is “not doing mock debates” in practice but instead focusing on policy areas through briefings provided by lawmakers.

“He has said to people multiple times that he knows that he interrupted too much in the first debate with Biden in 2020, and having just rewatched that debate recently, it’s really striking,” Haberman said on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.”

“I mean, we all talked about it at the time, but Biden could barely get a word in edgewise, and Biden was kind of smiling throughout as this was happening,” she added

The first debate of the last presidential cycle was marked by name-calling by both candidates as Trump repeatedly clashed with moderator Chris Wallace. The 2024 presumptive GOP nominee also repeatedly interrupted Biden throughout the debate, resulting in many calling for a mute button.

During next week’s debate, which will be hosted by CNN, both candidates have agreed to muting microphones throughout the debate, except when they are called on to speak. Moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will be able to “use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion.”

Haberman said Trump is focusing on “policy time” by bringing in different people, including Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.). She signaled he is also practicing how to answer questions about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

“And they are focusing on various issues that could come up: abortion, health care, energy, COVID and then very specifically,” the Times reporter said, “and this was one thing that came up last Thursday, what Trump will say when asked Jan. 6-related questions, particularly his statements about pardoning some of the people who were arrested in connection with the violence that day.”

She added that the former president’s team want Trump, when asked about whether he would pardon those arrested, to say it depends on a case-by-case basis.

Haberman also noted that Trump is not a fan of debate prep.

“Trump doesn’t like prep. I mean, he considers it school,” she said. “So the fact that they’ve gotten him to do it this way is actually pretty revealing and also speaks to the fact that I think he knows that this has to go well for him.”

When reached for comment, senior Trump adviser Jason Miller took aim at Biden as he touted the former president’s experiences attending political rallies and giving interviews ahead of the debate next week.

“President Trump takes on numerous tough interviews every single week and delivers lengthy rally speeches while standing, demonstrating elite stamina,” Miller said, while repeating claims Trump and allies have made that Biden must be “shot up with chemicals” to stay focused.

Trump said late last month that he would request a drug test for the incumbent ahead of the debate.