The Commission on Presidential Debates said Thursday morning that the town hall-style event will take place virtually to “protect the health and safety of all involved.” Cartoon by Khlil Bendib — OtherWords
“I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate,” says Trump after format changed to prevent spread of COVID-19
by Jake Johnson — Common Dreams
Update:
President Donald Trump said Thursday morning that he’s “not gonna do a virtual debate” shortly after the Commission on Presidential Debates announced that next week’s town hall-style event will take place remotely to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which the president was diagnosed with just last week.
“I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate,” the president said in an interview on Fox Business. “That’s not what debating is all about. You sit behind a computer and do a debate, it’s ridiculous.”
“And then they cut you off whenever they want,” complained Trump, who rendered the first presidential debate nearly unwatchable with constant interruptions. “I’m not doing a virtual debate.”
Watch:
“I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate” — Trump, on with Maria Bartiromo, begins his first post-coronavirus interview by saying he’s pulling out of the second debate. (He sounds a little hoarse.) pic.twitter.com/R43JSszfll
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 8, 2020
Earlier:
The Commission on Presidential Debates announced Thursday morning that next week’s debate between Democratic nominee Joe Biden and President Donald Trump — who is infected with the coronavirus — will be held virtually “in order to protect the health and safety of all involved.”
The debate panel’s announcement comes hours after Biden suggested that next Thursday’s town hall-style event, which was previously set to be in-person, should be canceled if Trump “still has COVID.”
“I’m not sure what President Trump is all about now, I don’t know what his status is,” Biden said Tuesday. “I’m looking forward to being able to debate him. But I just hope all the protocols are followed, what’s necessary at the time.”
BREAKING: CPD ANNOUNCES SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WILL BE VIRTUAL pic.twitter.com/irWLpdCVOF
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 8, 2020
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