US elections: Donald Trump calls for drug test of Joe Biden as maiden debate nears

US President Donald Trump, trailing behind his rival in opinion polls, has called for a drug test of his Democratic challenger Joe Biden ahead of first presidential debate on September 29.

As absurd as it may sound, Trump suggested in a tweet on Sunday dope test on 'Sleepy' Joe Biden should be done eir prior to or after ir maiden debate Tuesday night. "Naturally, I will agree to take one also," Republican President declared.

He claimed Biden's debate performances (through  Democratic primaries) have been "record-setting uneven" and wondered wher drugs could have caused this discrepancy. Biden clinched Democratic mination in June after his rivals dropped out one by one following a heated internal party race.

"I will be strongly demanding a Drug Test of Sleepy Joe Biden prior to, or after, Debate on Tuesday night. Naturally, I will agree to take one also. His Debate performances have been record setting UNEVEN, to put it mildly. Only drugs could have caused this discrepancy???" Donald Trump tweeted.

As per US media reports, first presidential debate will be 90 minutes and focus on six topics — " Trump and Biden Records," " Supreme Court," "Covid-19," " Ecomy," "Race and Violence in our Cities" and " Integrity of Election" — and will be moderated by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace in Cleveland, Ohio.

US has three presidential debates where two candidates eyeing for White House discuss key issues related to country's current affairs and faceoff ir vision for future.

READ | Biden Compares Trump To Hitler's Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels Ahead Of Debate

Washington showdown over Supreme Court vacancy

debate comes amid heightened political tensions in Washington as Democrats and Republicans spar bitterly over Trump's mination of conservative Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court to fill vacancy left by death of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. President has called for a 'quick' confirmation by US Senate to get Barrett on court and furr consolidate conservative majority, a call well heeded by his Republican allies who aim to get job done by early October.

Joe Biden on Saturday urged Senate, controlled by a slim Republican majority, to wait until next president is elected in vember 3 polls before voting to fill vacant seat at top court. former Vice President ted that Trump’s choice for Supreme Court has a “written track record” of disagreeing with apex court’s decision to uphold Affordable Care Act, Barack Obama's signature healthcare reform, while also critiquing Chief Justice John Roberts’ majority opinion upholding law in 2012.

Biden thus argued that ‘Senate should wait’ and ‘t act’ immediately to fill  vacant seat. He added that US citizens understand how decisions made at  Supreme Court would impact ir day-to-day lives and refore, House should delay procedure until next US President enters White House.

A majority of opinion polls in America predict a tight race, though Biden mans to remain favourite to win.

READ | Biden Urges Senate t To Vote On Ginsburg's Seat Before Election As Trump Names Barrett