President Donald Trump said he will refuse to participate in a virtual debate with Joe Biden. The Commission on Presidential Debates announced on Oct. 8 organizers will hold the next presidential debate virtually with both candidates in remote locations.
“No, I’m not going to waste my time in a virtual debate,” Trump told Fox News.
The CPD announced the “the second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which the candidates would participate from separate remote locations.” Steve Scully of C-SPAN will also remain as moderator of the second presidential debate.
“That’s not what debating is all about. You sit behind a computer and do and then they cut you off whenever they want,” Trump said. During the first presidential debate, moderator Chris Wallace scolded Trump for interrupting Biden during his allotted time.
Trump said he believed the commission was protecting Biden. He also said he just learned about the change in format.
“We learned it the same way you learned it, they called up,” Trump said. “Two minutes ago and it was announced, and they’re trying to protect Biden.”
Donald Trump and Joe Biden had planned to meet on stage in Miami before the annoucement.
Initially, both candidates planned to meet on stage in Miami on Oct. 15 for the debate. Subsequently, Biden’s campaign deputy manager Kate Bedingfield said the Democratic candidate will accept the change in venue. The news comes a week after Trump tested positive for COVID-19.
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien also criticized the announcement. He said Trump “posted multiple negative tests prior to the debate, so there is no need for this unilateral declaration.”
Additionally, Trump declared himself the winner of the first debate while believing the annoucement to be political.
“That’s not acceptable to us. I beat him easily in the first debate, according to the polls that I’ve seen,” Trump said. “But I beat him easily, and I felt I beat him easily. I think he felt it, too.”
The next presidential debate will be held Oct. 15.
[H/T: Fox News]
