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Next Debate Format and Date Unknown After Trump Refuses Virtual Version

Today’s back and forth was enough to give political observers whiplash.

This has already proven to be an election like no other, and the strangeness isn’t dissipating in the least during these final few weeks.

President Trump and 2020 Democratic nominee Joe Biden were originally slated to compete in a second debate on Thursday, October 15th.  But, when the Commander in Chief came down with COVID-19 just days ago, the diagnosis threw a monkey wrench into those plans.  Biden’s team stated just yesterday that they wouldn’t participate in a debate if the President was still carrying the disease and the two candidates were going to be in the same room.

The commission in charge of organizing the debates then suggested that the candidates attend the event virtually, but President Trump refused.

Then there was the suggestion of a date change that the Biden camp was less than enthusiastic about.

Where it stands now is anyone’s guess. 

The commission organising the debate in Miami on 15 October said it would have to take place remotely after Mr Trump tested positive for coronavirus.

Mr Trump’s refusal sparked a day of wrangling about how and when any further debates would take place.

At the moment it appears a debate could take place on 22 October, although in what form remains to be seen.

Today’s back and forth action was enough to create political whiplash.

This infuriated the president who, in a phone-in interview with Fox Business Channel, said he was “not gonna waste my time” on a virtual debate and “sit behind a computer, ridiculous”.

Joe Biden said the president “changed his mind every second” and his campaign team added that Mr Trump “clearly does not want to face questions from the voters”.

The Trump campaign answered back, with manager Bill Stepien calling the commission’s decision to “rush to Joe Biden’s defence… pathetic” and saying Mr Trump would hold a rally instead on 15 October.

The Biden team then proposed the town-hall style debate, set for Miami, should go ahead on 22 October instead.

We can only imagine that more wrangling is yet to come.

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