Trump 'Certainly' Wants to Debate Clinton, But He's Calling for a 'Fair Moderator

Donald Trump told Fox News host Greta Van Susteren he "certainly" wants to participate in debates with Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, but insisted the moderator must be "fair."

"That's all I'm looking for," he told Van Susteren during an interview Wednesday. "Because we have a lot of very unfair people treating us, as Republicans and as conservatives — if you're a Republican and a conservative, you get very unfair treatment."

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump addresses the audience during a campaign event at Trask Coliseum on August 9, 2016 in Wilmington, North Carolina. This was TrumpÕs first visit to Southeastern North Carolina since he entered the presidential race. (Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images)

Critics have suggested Trump may duck out of debating the former secretary of state when it comes time for the three presidential forums, but the Republican presidential nominee recalled doing "very well" in the primary debates against his GOP opponents. If he hadn't done well, Trump said, "I wouldn't be sitting here."

Speculation about Trump's participation in the debates gained traction when, after seeing the schedule for the fall events, he claimed the NFL sent him a letter complaining about the fact that two of them took place during prominent games. The billionaire businessman said Clinton and the Democratic Party "are trying to rig" the debates in their favor.

Both the NFL and the Commission on Presidential debates quickly denied Trump's suggestions.

"I think we're going to have very good debates," Trump assured Van Susteren, again noting that he does not believe the debates should coincide with NFL games because it's "unfair" to do so.

"Probably Hillary Clinton would like that," he continued, "but I don't think they should be opposite NFL games and I want to see a fair moderator and whatever else we'll look at. But certainly I want to do the debates."

Trump, who said voters understand how "unfair" the press is, told the Fox News host former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and other Republicans on his team will be working with the commission on the debates. He said he thinks they should be "similar maybe to what we did with the Republican debates."

"But I think that debates between the two of us would be very good," he said. "I think it'd be very interesting. I think it's going to be very revealing for the public, and I look forward to it, but I would think something like what we had with the Republican debates or what they had with the Democrat debates."

The three presidential debates as they are currently scheduled will be Monday, Sept. 26, Sunday, Oct. 9, and Wednesday, Oct. 19. The vice presidential debate will take place Tuesday, Oct. 4. All four forums will begin at 9:oo p.m. ET and will last an hour and a half.

Watch the full interview with Van Susteren below:

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