Fate of second presidential debate uncertain
Trump refuses to participate virtually. Biden campaign asks for delay.
President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden were scheduled to debate for the second time in a town hall format on Thursday, Oct. 15 in Miami. The Commission on Presidential Debates announced Thursday that they would conduct the debate virtually for the health and safety of all participants, following Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis right after the first debate.
Trump told Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo Thursday morning that the virtual format would be a waste of time and he would not participate.
Biden’s campaign manager Kate Bedingfield released a statement saying Biden would take part in the debate and “looks forward to speaking directly to the American people.” She later suggested for the commission to postpone the town hall format debate. Trump’s campaign manager Bill Stepien echoed some support of that idea. Stepien called the commission’s decision “pathetic” and said Trump would hold a rally on Oct. 15th instead.
Image by Juan Pablo Bravo from the Noun Project