Instead, Trump called Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) “a total moron” and suggested the vice presidential debate will be “rigged” in an interview with Fox’s Kellyanne Conway, a former Trump adviser.

“You’ll see it tomorrow with J.D.,” Trump said. “It’ll be stacked. He’s going up against a moron. A total moron — how she picked him is unbelievable. And I think it’s a big factor. There’s something wrong with that guy. He’s sick.”

Walz and Vance will face off Tuesday night on CBS News with similar rules as the presidential debate, though there will be minute differences such as removing fact-checks and keeping microphones on. There will be no live audience and no prewritten notes.

But some think Vance has an advantage as an Ivy League-educated politician who hasn’t been scared to face opposition from the media. A top Harris aide called him a “skilled debater.” Democrats have set their own expectations that Walz will be overly defensive of his record and can come off as a “bit manic.”

They also worry Harris did so well in her debate with Trump that Walz won’t live up to the standard she set.

“[Kamala Harris] did so strong,” a Walz ally told Politico. “She’s actually made it very difficult for Walz because I don’t see any way that he could match her level of intensity and humor.”

Meanwhile, the Trump campaign has been anticipating a fierce performance from Walz, upping the ante of the Democrat’s performance.

“Tim Walz is very good in debates. Really good,” senior Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller said to reporters. “He’s been a politician for nearly 20 years. He’ll be very well prepared for tomorrow night.”

But Trump’s statement could incite feelings similar to how he downplayed his first debate with Harris, often calling it a “three-on-one” affair in an effort to send a message to voters that it didn’t matter what he did. It likely creates a scenario, like Trump’s debate, that will soften the blow if Vance can’t beat Walz.

Vance has been prepping for the debate with Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), who is familiar with Walz, and Walz has been preparing with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is similarly Ivy League-educated as Vance.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) said he expects Vance will do well. The debate will also give Vance a better shot at overshadowing his “childless cat ladies” comment the Harris campaign has repeatedly capitalized on.

He’ll also likely have to absorb attacks from Walz on his claims that Haitian migrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, which have not been proven.

“It will be the first time a lot of Americans see him, and I think they’re going to be very impressed with him, especially answering questions in that format,” Rubio said.