Commission Scraps Presidential Debate After Trump Declined to Do It Virtual

By Mary Anne R. Oct 09 2020, 22:35 PM EDT

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has called off the presidential debate planned on Thursday between President Donald Trump and Democrats' bet Joe Biden.

The announcement was made one day after earlier announcing the presidential debate would be virtual.

The planned presidential debate between the two presidential hopefuls was moved to a virtual format after Trump announced last Friday that he had contracted COVID-19. However, Trump said the virtual format's presidential debate is a "waste of time" and announced he wouldn't participate.

"It is now apparent there will be no debate on October 15, and the CPD will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate scheduled for October 22," the CPD said in a statement.

According to the commission, Trump and Biden earlier both agreed to participate in the in-person debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Kristen Welker of NBC News will moderate the event.

But Trump changed his mind and suddenly no longer interested in going to the debate. He added that they are trying to protect Biden.

Biden's side responded to Trump's cancellation through a spokeswoman.

The spokeswoman said they would have approved of a virtual format for next Thursday's presidential debate. However, because Trump bailed out, they would book another format for Biden to take questions.

The next day, ABC News announced that it would be hosting a town hall with the former vice president, according to a report.

Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said the former vice president looks forward to making his case to the American people about how to battle this pandemic, as well as restoring American leadership.

Bates added that Biden would address the nation's alliances worldwide and bring the American people together.

"It's shameful that Donald Trump ducked the only debate in which the voters get to ask the questions -- but it's no surprise," Bates noted in a report.

Miami Debate

Meanwhile, Trump's campaign team argued that there is no reason for the commission to move the debate to a virtual setting. They said the president's physician has already cleared him for travel.

Trump's campaign spokesman, Tim Murtaugh, said in a statement that there is no medical reason to stop the Oct. 15 debate in Miami from taking place.

Murtaugh noted that they had suggested Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 to hold the last two debates, adding that it is time for the commission to stop protecting Biden.

Trump's spokesman said the president would be willing to debate Biden without the commission's involvement.

Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez earlier asked Trump to stay away from his city until he is free from the virus. Suarez's statement came after the president said he looks forward to attending the in-person debate in Miami.

Suarez said he does not think it is safe, not for Trump and anybody else, including anyone who interacts with the president.

Trump was earlier hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after announcing that he and first lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19. He was reported to experience fever and was required supplemental oxygen.