Trump-Biden debate planned for October 15 officially canceled
US Presidential debate that was planned to held on October 15, 2020 between Donald Trump and Joe Biden got cancelled as Trump bailed out.
An administration official said;
Trump will address a crowd of supporters on Saturday from a White House balcony on a “law and order” theme.
A report familiar with the planning for the event said the crowd could be in the hundreds, and all were expected to wear masks.
The Trump campaign said ‘there is no medical reason to stop the October 15 debate,’ but earlier the president had called its planned format ‘ridiculous’.
The debate, originally scheduled as a town hall-style encounter in Miami, was intended to be the second of three presidential debates.
When is the Trump-Biden debate now?
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) said in an emailed statement:
“It is now apparent there will be no debate on October 15,”
They further stated;
“and the CPD will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate scheduled for October 22.”
After Trump refused to take part in the Oct. 15 debate, Biden scheduled a televised town hall-style event for himself that evening.
Trump announced last Friday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
He spent three days hospitalized receiving treatment before being released on Monday.
The Republican president is seeking re-election on Nov. 3, on Thursday.
He called the format change in which he and Biden were to participate from remote locations “ridiculous”.
He also said it would be a waste of his time to take part.
Trump’s campaign on Friday accused the commission, headed by a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, “biased” toward Biden.
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said;
“There is no medical reason to stop the October 15 debate in Miami from proceeding as scheduled, since the President will be healthy and ready to debate,”
The commission said both candidates have agreed to participate in the Oct. 22 debate.
The debate would be subject to required coronavirus testing, mask-wearing and social distancing protocols.
Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said;
“It’s shameful that Donald Trump ducked the only debate in which the voters get to ask the questions – but it’s no surprise,”
