Sanders pushes for debate with Trump; Trump declines
By Associated Press
May 27, 2016 3:34 PM CDT
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a rally, Friday, May 27, 2016, in Fresno, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)   (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he will wait to debate the official Democratic nominee, and not debate Bernie Sanders, calling the Democratic nominating process "totally rigged."

Trump said in a statement Friday that "it seems inappropriate that I would debate the second place finisher," criticizing front-runner Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz as "crooked."

"As much as I want to debate Bernie Sanders," Trump said, "I will wait to debate the first place finisher in the Democratic Party."

But Sanders' campaign also released a statement reiterating its interest in debating the presumptive Republican nominee, saying the campaign has received two offers by television networks looking to air a Trump-Sanders debate.

"Both offers include a major contribution to charity," Sanders' campaign manager Jeff Weaver said in a statement.

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