Donald Trump said Thursday he wants to debate Bernie Sanders and hopefully raise millions of dollars for a women's charity in doing so.
"I'd love to debate Bernie. He's a dream, Trump said during a press conference in Bismarck, N.D.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee in the race for president, said on the
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" show Wednesday evening that he'd like to square off with the Democratic senator from Vermont.
Sanders responded on his Twitter account late Wednesday night:
When asked about the proposed debate Thursday, Trump provided more details about the idea.
"I said I'd love to debate him but I want a lot of money put up for charities," he said. "So what we'll do is if we can raise for maybe women's health issues or something, if we can raise $10 or $15 million for charity, which would be an appropriate amount.
"I understand the television business very well. I think it would get very high ratings. It should be in a big arena somewhere, and we can have a lot of fun with it. I'd love to debate Bernie. The problem with debating Bernie is he's going to lose because honestly, his system is rigged just like our system is rigged."
Trump added that his campaign has already fielded calls from the networks about the debate idea, although he did not say which ones.
Sanders' campaign manager
told CNN Thursday Sanders is looking forward to meeting Trump on the debate stage.
"We are ready to debate Donald Trump. We hope he will not chicken out," Jeff Weaver said. "I think it will be great for America to see these two candidates and the different visions they have for America going forward."
Sanders added on Twitter:
Sanders had already agreed to debate Hillary Clinton, the leading candidate in the Democratic race, before the upcoming California primary but
she turned down the offer.