x

US Election: Trump says he won’t do virtual debate against Biden after debate commission changes rules

US President Donald Trump on Thursday October 8, said that he would not participate in the second televised debate with Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, next week after the commission responsible for producing the debate forums announced that it will be conducted virtually due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m not going to waste my time on virtual debate. That’s not what debating is all about,” Trump said in an interview on Fox Business on Thursday October 8.

 “You sit behind a computer and do a debate. It’s ridiculous, and then they cut you off whenever they want.”

I?m not going to waste my time

Trump’s remarks come after the Commission on Presidential Debates(CPD) revealed Thursday morning that the town hall-style event on Oct. 15 would feature the two candidates participating virtually “from separate remote locations.”

According to the CPD the town hall participants and moderator Steve Scully of C-SPAN will be located as planned at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.

The shift to a virtual format was necessitated due to Trump’s recovery from Covid-19 at the White House, days after being discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical center.

Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien reaffirmed the president’s position in a statement, saying Trump will “pass on this sad excuse to bail out Joe Biden and do a rally instead.”

According to Stepien, Trump “will have posted multiple negative tests prior to the debate,” and insisted that the “safety of all involved can easily be achieved without canceling a chance for voters to see both candidates go head to head.”

In her own statement, Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield suggested the former vice president would take part in the virtual event, saying that Biden “looks forward to speaking directly to the American people.”

Trump had previously signaled that he intended to take part in the debate despite his diagnosis, tweeting Tuesday that he was “looking forward” to the forum on Oct. 15 and that it “will be great!”

On Tuesday October 6, Biden said that “we shouldn’t have a debate” if Trump remains infected with the coronavirus.

The commission announced last week it was  exploring alternative formats for next week’s debate in the aftermath of the first clash between Trump and Biden — which saw the president repeatedly interrupt his Biden and moderator Chris Wallace of Fox News.

The commission announced last week that the first debate demonstrated the need for “additional structure” in the format of the remaining forums to “ensure a more orderly discussion.”

Sean Conley, the president’s personal physician, reported in a memo Wednesday that Trump has “been fever-free for more than 4 days, symptom-free for over 24 hours, and has not needed nor received any supplemental oxygen since initial hospitalization.”

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalistAs...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

A’Ibom Lawmaker, Edidem, lauds Tinubu over Akpabio’s SSDC appointment

By Ogenyi OgenyiDeputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom Assembly,...

Dr. Uduak Silas Obot Laid to Rest in His Country Home

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaThe remains of Dr. Uduak Silas Obot,...

Bayelsa Governor Lauds Security Agencies for Synergy

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaBayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has...

Bayelsa Cult Attack Claims Two Lives

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, YenagoaTwo Niger Delta University graduates were brutally...

B’Haram: Zulum approves 35 patrol vehicles, motorcycles for Borno community

By Achadu Gabriel, KadunaBorno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum,...

Adulterated soya beans oil producing factory discover in Kaduna

By Achadu Gabriel, kadunaApparently owing to severity of hardship...

Judge Faces Compulsory Retirement for Misconduct in Kogi

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaAn area court Judge, Alemeru Adekunle...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img