Trump Says He Will Not Participate in Virtual Debate With Biden

Organizers announced the debate will take place virtually because of the president's Covid-19 diagnosis.

October 8, 2020 2 min read

President Donald Trump told Fox Business this morning that he would not participate in next week's debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden after the Commission on Presidential Debates announced the Oct. 15 follow-up to last Tuesday's chaotic affair would be virtual.

“No, I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate" with Biden, he said in an interview.

Trump was diagnosed with Covid-19 a week ago, and the Commission cited the need "to protect the health and safety of all involved with the second presidential debate.”

Biden's Deputy Campaign Manager, Kate Bedingfield, said in a statement, “Vice President Biden looks forward to speaking directly to the American people."

Trump's diagnosis was confirmed just 48 hours after debating Biden in person in Cleveland. Biden has since taken multiple Covid-19 tests, all of which came back negative.

If the virtual debate were to happen, it would not the first instance in which the candidates were not in the same room, according to the Associated Press. In 1960, Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy's third debate was broadcast while the two candidates were on opposite coasts.

More from Entrepreneur

							
							We created the SYOB course to help you get started on your entrepreneurial journey. You can now sign up for just $99, plus receive a 7-day free trial. Just use promo code SYOB99 to claim your offer.
						
								Start My 7-Day Free Trial 
							
							Jumpstart Your Business. Entrepreneur Insider is your all-access pass to the skills, experts, and network you need to get your business off the ground—or take it to the next level.
						
								Join Now 
							
							Entrepreneur Store scours the web for the newest software, gadgets & web services. Explore our giveaways, bundles, "Pay What You Want" deals & more.
						
								Shop Now