
On Thursday, United States President Donald Trump announced that he would not be participating in the Oct. 15 virtual debate with rival Joe Biden after it was changed to a virtual format to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Trump opposed the new format proposed by the nonpartisan commission and voiced fears that his microphone might be shut off amid the debate.
Trump said in an interview:
“I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate. That’s not what debating is all about,”
“You sit behind a computer and do a debate – it’s ridiculous, and then they cut you off whenever they want.”
Last week’s debate with Biden led to calls for a new format after Trump repeatedly interrupted and talked over both Biden and the moderator.