While the Commission of Presidential Debates announced the next presidential debate would be virtual in order to protect the health of those involved, President Trump has made it clear he will not partake in it in that format. Trump said that the commission’s decision is in order to “protect Joe Biden.”
Trump told Fox News, “I’m not going to waste my time with a virtual debate. That’s not what debating is all about. You sit behind a computer and do a debate, that is ridiculous.”
While President Trump tested positively for the coronavirus on October 1st, his health has improved rapidly. He said that he was very much looking forward to the next presidential debate, alluding that he planned to test negative before the event. Biden also commented on the debate, and said that if the scientists and expert said it was safe for Trump to participate in-person, he had no problem with it.
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh also spoke negatively about the new format. He said, “This was a decision they made without consultation with our campaign but it’s in line with their history of doing everything they can to protect Joe Biden.”
The Biden campaign has said that Joe Biden will participate in the virtual town hall. In a statement, Kate Bedingfield said, "Vice President Biden looks forward to speaking directly to the American people and comparing his plan for bringing the country together and building back better with Donald Trump's failed leadership on the coronavirus that has thrown the strong economy he inherited into the worst downturn since the Great Depression.”
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