RSVP NO?

CPD Moves Second Trump vs. Biden Debate to Virtual After President’s COVID Infection

COVID-infected president rejects move to beam in candidates from separate locations, claims it’s being done “to protect Joe Biden.”

The second debate between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden will take place virtually in order “to protect the health and safety of all involved,” the Commission on Presidential Debates has confirmed. The clash was thrown into doubt after Trump announced he’d tested positive for COVID-19 last Friday, with Biden saying Tuesday that it shouldn’t go ahead if the president is still an infectious danger to others. The CPD said in a Thursday morning statement that the debate will go ahead on Oct. 15—but not as we know it. “The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which the candidates would participate from separate remote locations,” the statement read. Trump tweeted Tuesday that he was “FEELING GREAT!” and “looking forward to the debate.”

However, the infected president changed his tune Thursday morning, objecting to the virtual format that he claimed was being done to “protect Joe Biden.” His campaign manager, who also has the coronavirus, vowed that Team Trump would have a rally instead on that night.

The Biden camp confirmed the former VP would accept the new format.