LOS ANGELES – Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Bernie
Sanders on Thursday explored staging an unconventional U.S. presidential debate
in California that would sideline Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton.

The two men — a billionaire and a democratic socialist —
expressed interest in a televised encounter between them even though Republican
and Democratic presidential candidates traditionally do not debate each other
until the parties have selected their nominees.

“I’d love to debate Bernie,” Trump told reporters in
North Dakota, after he secured enough delegates to clinch the Republican
presidential nomination. “I think it would get very high ratings. It would
be in a big arena.”

Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said in an email that there were no
formal plans yet for such an event. But Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver
told CNN that there had been “a few discussions” between the
campaigns about the details.

“We hope that he will not chicken out,” Weaver said.
“We hope Donald Trump has the courage to get on stage now that he said he
would.”

Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, is running far behind
Clinton in the race for the Democratic nomination for the Nov. 8 presidential
election.

But a nationally televised debate with the presumptive
Republican nominee would be a big boost to his chances in the California
primary on June 7, when Clinton is likely to win the nomination.

Trump said a debate with Sanders could raise up to $15 million
for charity.

“I’d love to debate Bernie, but they’ll have to pay a lot
of money for it,” he said.

The
idea was hatched during an appearance by Trump on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel
Live” late on Wednesday. Kimmel said he asked Trump about the debate at
the suggestion of Sanders, who is scheduled to appear on the show Thursday
night.

“Game on,” Sanders tweeted. “I look forward to
debating Donald Trump in California before the June 7 primary.”

The Clinton campaign did not immediately respond to a request
for comment on a possible Trump-Sanders debate.

“Smart and bold move by Sanders,” Democratic strategist Brad
Bannon said. “Sanders will also have a chance mano on mano with Trump to prove
that he would be a better candidate against Trump in November. The Clinton
people are furious but Bernie wins points for being so aggressive.”

Sanders has said he will do everything he can to ensure that
Trump does not win the White House.

Clinton has tried to woo Sanders supporters as she turns her
attention on the November election. But some worry that his supporters – who
are largely young, working-class and disillusioned with the Democratic Party
establishment – will turn instead to political neophyte Trump, who has
championed a populist agenda.

The debate would give Trump a national forum to criticize
Clinton and try to win over Sanders supporters ahead of an expected
Trump-Clinton general election match-up, Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis
said.

“I think Sanders should think long and hard about giving
Trump a forum,” he said. “It crosses a line, but apparently in this
election there is no line,”

Dale Ranney, 62, a Trump volunteer who has been to 21 of his
rallies, said she would be delighted to see Trump and Sanders debate.

“I
think it’s a great idea, any time you can get more information to the people,
absolutely,” Ranney said. “Having Trump debate a socialist?
Absolutely. Go for it.”