Donald Trump suggested in a new interview that he might lose the upcoming debate on "purpose" to keep President Joe Biden on the ticket. 

The former president, who was being interviewed on conservative Real America's Voice, was asked what would happen if Biden performs poorly at the debate and Democrats replace him as their nominee.

"Well, you know, interestingly, they've done polling, and I do better against almost everybody," Trump told host Steve Gruber.

"And so they don't want to take him off. Maybe I'm better off losing the debate. I'll make sure he stays. I'll lose the debate on purpose. Maybe I'll do something like that," the former president said.

The Biden campaign played Trump's comments in a loop on X. 

CNN will host the first debate of the 2024 presidential election on June 27.