President Trump said he won't participate in a virtual debate moments after the commission that organizes the presidential debate announced a change in format because of the coronavirus.President Trump said he won't participate in a virtual debate moments after the commission that organizes the presidential debate announced a change in format because of the coronavirus.
Bill Stepien, Trump's campaign manager who also has the coronavirus, rebuked what he called the commission's"unilateral declaration." "President Trump will have posted multiple negative tests prior to the debate, so there is no need for this unilateral declaration. The safety of all involved can easily be achieved without canceling a chance for voters to see both candidates go head to head. We'll pass on this sad excuse to bail out Joe Biden and do a rally instead," he added.
But the pandemic, and the more than 200,000 Americans who have died from the virus, are likely to dominate the next few weeks before Election Day, Nov. 3.
It is a waste of time because he has nothing to say.
Independent. That’s funny
A waste of time? Ok, I can’t resist— TakesOneToKnowOne! realDonaldTrump AbjectFailure 🙄
I say, call it quits before more people get sick. It’s not worth. Besides people like me are filling out our mail in ballots as we read this and it won’t matter. No debate is going to change people’s minds now.
Sure
His entire life is a waste of time!
He should know what a waste is.
Thank god! Couldn't take a second round from that idiotic blowhard.
Waste of time? Unlike long rambling phone calls to Fox 'news'?
A lot of very smart people I know telling me that realDonaldTrump is sick as a dog with Covid_19 and is too sleepy to debate JoeBiden . Very nasty situation. They are playing down his coronavirus symptoms so that American's don't panic. SAD!
I bet Trump would agree to a virtual debate if they told him that if he refused, Biden would be given the entire time to answer questions on national tv.
👏
'I'm not going to do a virtual debate,' he said, calling the format 'a waste of time.' -Donald Trump, while giving a virtual interview
like the debate was gonna persuade any side. everyone has already picked their ideology by the media that brainwashed them. debates will change no one’s vote.
Independent my ass
Perfect for teleprompter Joe, that’s what he wanted all along
I mean...I’m ok without having to hear drumphs voice.
He just doesn't want his mic cut off when he begins his BS
CowardinChief
Fire up Joe's teleprompter!
Give the entire time to Biden. If realDonaldTrump is too cowardly to debate, and is completely unable to behave in a civilized manner, then he forfeits his time.
Coward
CarmelaStarr7 Biden should do one with two podiums and something appropriate to represent Trump !
Dumb. Too easy to hack and manipulate.
Again, Trump takes over the headlines. This is today...it will change and he will get headlines again. Instead, we should be celebrating the debate by Kamala. We should be talking about the NY win for Trump taxes. We should be talking about Trump's virus...he wants spotlight.
Yes anytime Donald speaks is a waste of American’s time.
His whole presidency has been a waste of time.
Biden should still do it. It is a nationally televised moment for him to continue to get his message across. And he won't have to put up with Trump interrupting all the time.
any debate including him is a waste of our time
Just do podcast format. That will be the best!
JoeBiden should definitely go ahead with it and tell us why we should vote for him now that it's very clear we have to vote against Doniker.
Well yeah it's a waste of his time, he'll be muted when Biden speaks
It would not fit his profile for bullying everyone.
realDonaldTrump and 'waste of time' in the same sentence. That's accurate. BidenHarris2020ToSaveAmerica DumpTrump2020 DumpTheTurdNov3rd
trump can participate . . . or the American people will still have the opportunity to ask Biden questions for the entire broadcast. Don't take that opportunity away from Americans! If trump thinks it's a waste of time to answer Americans' questions, then he isn't worth my time
Good. There is no reason why Joe still can't go on and take questions from the people. Maybe he will actually be able to get out a whole answer before he is cut off. If Trump doesn't want free air time no reason for Joe to miss the opportunity.
Hold the virtual debate! Show an empty podium every time the moderator asks trump a question since the super spreader is refusing to attend. Don't give in to his childishness
When was the President last tested for COVID?
A debate is about body language, reaction, posture, composure; not just asking and answering questions. Want proof? Just watch Kennedy v Nixon. Not to mention that Trump is right. When it goes virtual, there is absolutely ZERO assurance that Biden OR Trump are not being assisted.
Good. Hold it without him then and just have a town hall with Biden. Trump offers nothing but hatred, lies, and sickness at this point.
Joe should just show up and get all that air time. Trump is walking COVID filled Puuuusssssy!!!
trump has Covid! He is still on the active disease state and taking medications that reduce some of its symptoms. trump actively has Covid 19 NOW! He is sick and has a mini hospital in the WH caring for him.
He probably won’t participate because he can’t speak for more than 30 to 60 seconds without wheezing or gasping for air.
that was a big miss on potus part b/c that was like declaring all business that is trying to start up, using remote, as a 'waste of time'...not a good way to lead by example. I fault his staff for not giving him good advice. gop
TrumpForfeits
Is this because he knows the control room will have his mic turned off if he talks for too long?
Then give his opponent the full time to answer questions without having to endure interruptions.
Yep happy not to watch his narcissistic rage
Can you imagine your boss testing positive and then saying everyone is required to come into office for a in-personmeeting? He doesn’t care about the virus and he absolutely doesn’t care about anyone but himself.
Y’all mad because he beat covid or what? Y’all wanted him dead I saw your followers tweets NPR.
He would have grabbed at any excuse not to participate, because his terrible, unhinged performance at the first one cost him in the polls.
So biden gets the time to use as a town hall right?
Televised debates are also VIRTUAL. Those folks aren’t really in our living rooms.
I agree with Trump on this one when he says a virtual debate is a “waste of time.” Good, because America won’t be subjected to the same foolishness we experienced the last time! trumpbidendebate
The first debate was a total waste of time!
The waste of time is giving Trump any forum at all to continue campaign spew that is entirely fictional. He does not know how to debate in the first place.
Good for him. As usual, he fails to recognize that HE'S the one who needs the debate, trailing in the polls, his disaster of a debate last week, etc. Let him pull out, better for Joe, and safer.
I hope Biden does it alone do he can answer questions without being interrupted.
GREAT - 90 minutes free air time for Biden. As for those positive antibodies - the DR is a total QUACK if he thinks that is meningful. He was just given 8 mg of antibodies that have a half life of 21 days. OF COURSE they'll show up - but not naturally produced.
An overall win for America
Sounds like a good opportunity for Bidens staff to tee up responses off-screen during the debate. This could be very advantageous. Just like when FakeNews did Biden 'press conference' with presupplied questions and answers. Made him look lucid. Democrats' treachery is endless.
100% worthless
It would be a waste of time any way. There’s no point in “debating” a pathological liar who thinks you “win” by constantly shouting down your opponent.
realDonaldTrump scaredy-cat
Come on realDonaldTrump please do it. We need to hear what you’re saying
This is the answer!
Then don't do it. Let Trump keep tweeting, nothing helps Biden more.
Let’s just hear from Vice President Biden, this time trump won’t be yelling over everyone
Yet again - tRump shows what a yellow-bellied chicken he is. HE QUITS EVERYTHING. Bone Spurs? Sure. Bankruptices. Lawsuit payoffs. When The Going Gets Tough, Trump Gets Going - AWAY!
The State & all its corruption is clearly pro-Biden...no surprise there, being in politics for ~50yrs. They want him to win, so he'll 'play nice' Solid reason to vote Libertarian (Jorgensen4POTUS ), or hold your nose & vote Trump, if you're in a swing state penceWonTheDebate
All trump does is waste the countries time.
He knows he can be muted and his camera turned off. How could he yell and interrupt if he’s forcefully shut up.
Biden will get his chair, his notes, teleprompter, maybe an ear piece...maybe even a diaper, urinal bag, maybe an IV push to keep him alert.
Include more choice. Use the mute button and include candidates that are on the ballots in all 50 states. Tired of this duopoly 🎪
Biden should show up anyway and use the air time.
Does he think we are all just wasting time with our online work meetings and courses? realDonaldTrump is so out of touch with the real lives of Americans!
Trump can’t handle how he was eviscerated at the first debate. Of course he’s running into a safe space.
And he is 100% correct. We cannot let Joe Biden use a teleprompter.
You know what’s been a waste of my time This whole administration.
That’s because they could just mute him when he won’t shut up.
Blood test is negative?! I thought you had to have a swab shoved up your nose?
I was Trump who WASTED OUR TIME last time!!!!!!
Trump is a walking ball of coronavirus. He wants all to believe Covid is nothing to cover up his failure. His comment not to be trusted, as usual. Gaslighting after 210,000 Americans have died.
Great, he just forfeit his rt to say anything further about this election. Sir your COVID is showing, please “stand back & stand by” while the next President & VP prepare to lead. ChildishOrangeBehavior Tantrump2020 Vote2020
Actions have consequences. Trump didn’t take the appropriate precautions during the first “debate” and so they have to take special precautions to everyone safe. That makes sense.
After what we've experienced since he took office, how can there be any undecideds at this point? Nobody involved in the debates deserves to be sickened by him or his entourage. Vote early. GetOutTheVote
Well, he's a waste of space.
I'm sure that candidate Jorgensen4POTUS would be glad to be involved in the debate if the Don isn't willing to be.
Good, we don't need anymore debates and we don't anyone else getting the virus. We all know Trump and Pence are liars and I for one, are beyond tired of hearing the constant lies.
Biden should show up anyway and use the free air time.
Fine. Let Joe have a town hall and Trump can talk to himself.
To be fair, he didn’t debate in the first instance. He just yelled over the moderator and VP Biden
I remember when moderators were neutral and debates were civilized, it wasn't that long ago
Good, that means someone will actually have the ability to mute his ass.
Well, he’s not wrong, for him. Debates are about persuasion, and the guy cannot persuade any who do not already agree with him because he has no actual content. He needs a platform where he can antagonize, as that is his only ability in regard to debate.
“Independent”
Sure it's independent
Completely unnecessary. Trump could be tested beforehand; if he tests negative, have the debate w/ social distancing like the last 2 were
It's only fun for him if he can bully people and try to kill them.
Joe Bidens health is not worth a useless debate with the orange clown. Why risk his life when Trump will just lie with every breath and fumble his way through every question.
Good then don’t do it. TRump has no regards to life. Anyways the debate won’t change anyone’s minds. Health and safety comes first.
They are not independent. They commission is ran by the 2 major parties. Notice how there is never a 3rd or 4th party represented? America would be better off if they were truly independent.
TrumpIsACoward
After he is given his time to respond, and there is no response, Joe can say, 'Didn't you enjoy the quiet? I did, but let me answer your question, ...'
BREAKING: The Fly just dropped a new album. CliveDavis is her agent. flygate WearAMask thursdaymorning COVID19 Trump
President “My way or the highway”.
Then let Biden speak by himself if Trump is having a tantrum. Trump doesn’t run the debates.
President Patient Zero Is a snowflake
Remember when Trump was in Walter Reed and said 'I know a lot about COVID' That was a lie.
Good, Joe Biden will just cheat w a teleprompter anyway TeleprompterJoe
If he doesn't want to participate, fine - one less chance for him to turn the polls around. (Or, more likely, repel even more voters.)
Oh course he isn’t going to participate, he knows he lost major poll points and doesn’t want to embarrass himself again. Lmao
Because he can't control the narrative in a virtual debate.
I agree with Trump on this one. Happy to not watch him.
Yes, that’s great 😃
So the President of the United States of America says a virtual debate is a waste of time? That’s a slap 👋🏻 in the face to the American 🇺🇸 people. Isn’t the debate for them realDonaldTrump ?
I believe he (tRUMP) is trying to kill Biden himself (via his infected bod). On National TV even. 💭😷
Awesome! 90 minutes for Joe to speak about his plans for the country without being interrupted every 2 seconds. Considering the media spent the entire past week focused on president death-eater, Joe is due some solo airtime.
Then maybe he should just go ahead and step down already..
If you tell him that he might be able to cheats during a virtual debate by having someone to impersonate him, he will be on board.
Of course not. He won’t be in control. And will look the fool.
Trump is losing.
88SEATTLE61 They should have the debate, where Biden takes part, and they substitute this picture of Trump for his questioning. They would get more sense than if he actually appeared.
Announced via a virtual interview and being amplified via Twitter a virtual communication platform, during a pandemic which has forced a large percentage of America to work and school virtually
Typhoid Trump throwing a fit because people don’t want to be in a room with him.
Because he knows he won’t be able to interrupt Biden?
IowaPublicRadio Fine
Have it Austin and let JoeRogan moderate it...
No one old should get close to Trump; if not, then have Trump and McConnell spend time arguing in front of each other and releasing COVID particles; Trump is just afraid of another shoddy performance - having gotten sick from COVID, blocked stimulus, and supporting Proud Boys!
Virtual? So that Biden can be slipped notes and read off teleprompters? No thanks. I wouldn’t do it either. It would be a mess.
Good. Stay home!
So Biden will get an hour of airtime? Uninterrupted? To talk to us and lead in a time of crisis? Awesome.
It’s true.
He would have to talk policy.
He believes himself to be an imposing figure.He thinks his mere presence is enough to intimidate anyone into falling in line. Wears his lifts to look down on you and his silly 'pull the other person toward you' style handshake to show dominance. He wants to be a strongman.
Biden should do the “debate” regardless, get double the time and show Trump up for the coward that he is.
js_edit Can't spread any virus to your opponents over Zoom.
Independent my ass! They are as much in the tank for Biden as the lame stream media!
That’s because he doesn’t give a shit about the health and safety of others
Would absolutely be a complete waste of time for Trump.
I'd love to see a virtual 'debate'. The moderator asks questions about FUTURE policy and I'd get to actually hear a response. And trump would never hold up to Biden because he never says anything of substance. 5 gr vocabulary, generalized, simplistic answers to complicated issues
Seriously Donald what do you have to lose could your ratings go any lower scratch that maybe it is a good idea to skip the debate
Let’s do this.
Yes it is harder to interrupt when there is a mute button controlled by the host.
He's the one with COVID, along with like 20 people within the white house, and he doesn't want to do a virtual debate? OK. Then he better show up in a full body suit like Bubble Boy.
Well he's right about it being a waste of time.
And Trump announced he won't go unless he can infect someone.
RoganBarbara realDonaldTrump Why agree to a virtual debate? Against your National Strategy to spread COVID throughout the US. YOU bow to Putin, in a conspiracy with him to WAR against Americans: kill them, destroy the US economy and democracy. YOU ARE IN AN EPIC FAIL! You have ROID RAGE
And that is all the answer we need to any question that could be asked.
donald j trump Right Now
Media ratingsinformed voters? Replace Trump with someone else that’s on the ballot in ALL 50 states debates. Stop voter suppression outside the duopoly. LetHerSpeak Jorgensen4POTUS
Joe should show up and do the virtual town hall meeting. He would be able to answer questions without the vitriol and constant interruption.
IowaPublicRadio Joe will just read from a teleprompter.
It’s not independent. It’s run by the RNC and DNC. If it was independent they would allow third party candidates.
Well, if anyone in government knows about wasting time it's definitely this 🍊🤡, called realDonaldTrump
He's right. If the first debate was bad (on both sides), a virtual one would be a complete circus.
TantrumToddlerTrump
As long as the moderator has a mute button, everything else is fine.
He can't bear to share the stage with anyone.
the debates would certainly be more interesting if they were organized by actual swamp creatures.
Wow, so all of us in education are expected to make our teaching “work” online, but it a “waste of time” for him. A true commitment to keeping us safe. 😡. And can you say “ chicken”?
If it wasn’t a bunch of theatre on his part then putting ideas out on a virtual call or streamed across the internet from cameras to people’s ho... wait a minute!
Why would the Commission not cancel? Trump is sick with Covid
I wish they could also give the moderator a kill switch for audio to cut off monopolizing the debate.
JoeBiden should still go on national television and answer questions. It will be easier without a big orange clown babbling aimlessly in the background.
Good.
Good. There's absolutely no reason they HAVE to be on a stage together. And use the mute button. If they want to talk over each other, just mute them. If they can't act civilized of their own volition, force them to be.
That’s fine, let’s just hear from Biden without the interruption
Key going forward will be for commission NOT to get involved in rounds of revised debate formats trying to get Trump to show. Commission should stick to its guns and just ignore Trump tantrums.
DO THE DEBATE..sans donny
Independent? I don't think so
He was worried that he would attract a swarm of flies.
Obviously President Trump is a coward.
Scaredy-cat!!!!
Geeeee I wonder why? A) he is sicker than he is telling us B) He knows he will be muted C) he knows he is sunk D) He knows the fly on Pence's head last night is a sign of the administrations decay E) He can't get Biden sick this way
A virtual debate would be even more pointless than the last in person debate.
What a shocker.
We don’t need any more debates. Trump is an ass and the whole country knows it. His cult will vote for him no matter what and the rest of us will vote to save our democracy.
RoganBarbara Trump is a coward. realDonaldTrump If he were STRONG, HE WOULD DEBATE. Biden is BRAVE. BIDEN does not want COVID. BIDEN IS NOT STUPID: masks, no live rallies. Biden knows COVID is FOREVER. NO HERD IMMUNITY. It's in you your to shed it even if u test NEGATIVE. trumploser
Well it’s not the ideal scenario but “Waste of time”? Come on. What a baby! 😂
Good for trump.
To protect Joe from embarrassing himself again. They are gonna CHEAT
Sociopaths will always try to shed blame elsewhere... StayScared 🐔💩
LOL
Is this like the mute button, where they announce something that totally does not happen?
I have to virtually debate people at work all of the time and the President can’t do it for 2 hours?!?
Somebody call Clint, maybe he still has that empty chair.
They should have done this in the first place. When does the doctor not have the power to force the president to quarantine? That is criminally negligent! trump’s decisions have done nothing but kill or threaten the health, safety, and security of the American people. Negligence!
I’m good, another debate is not necessary...
Give the whole time to Biden, if Trump's afraid of remote debates. realDonaldTrump
The first one was a waste of time as well so just cancel any more debates.
Why us it a waste of time? Doesn’t he still get to talk and plead his case?
fly - 'Mine *should* have been virtual.'
POTUS is a waste of all of our time. He wasted time fighting the virus and is wasting time getting our economy back.
The debate should go on. Same audience. Same broadcast. Same moderator. Same questions. realDonaldTrump and JoeBiden can choose to participate. AdvatageTrump, high potential of no lies if he is not there. KeepRealLeadersSafe.
He’s an overt narcissist. It’s always about diverting and hiding underlying shame. He doesn’t want to debate in person or virtual. Bullying and interrupting is only to conceal his ineptitude & his failures.
Of course trump won’t participate, he can interrupt and act like the asshole that he is online, they’ll just mute his mic! What a wimp!
So then biden gets a town hall on most local networks 🤔
Taking questions from American voters at a town hall style debate is a 'waste of time' for Donald Trump.
At that point, it's just scripted TV, not a real view of intellect or actual leadership views. Not interested in watching Joe read a teleprompter. They could easily test Trump daily and cancel if he shows any signs of COVID, they could also set up safeguards. Or put Pence in.
realDonaldTrump showing what a coward he is.
People in this country have been doing stuff virtually for 7 months and the U.S President refuse to talk to the American people? Expect Trump to sink even lower in polls. Biden should book a townhall that week ASAP. What a gift!
Yay! No one wants to hear him yelling and interrupting plus that voice! Yippee!
Yes Watching Trump yelling or doing anything is a waste of our time as well. He should golf till Nov 3 and resign after his loss and let his poodle Pence do the remaining term
Any debate with traitortrump realDonaldTrump is a waste of time. Especially as Biden continues to increase his lead. Which spiked after the first debate. Which explains why Trump doesn't want another debate.
Why? Because he can’t be rude as hell and try and puff out his chest via zoom?
Fine - Biden gets a prime time town hall to himself. Go for it.
Trump had no plan to show up in the first place.
Probably because he knows they can cut him off. 🤣
Looks like President Donald J. Trump already forfeited and lost the 2nd debate. 💁🏻♀️ SuperspreaderTrump
Great! Biden can participate and answer questions for 90 minutes! We’d all rather listen to him than man child!
Its because he’s too sick
Well Trump can give his balls a tug.
Much like his presidency.
The man’s a contrarian.
Have it without him! realDonaldTrump is scared and it is his choice to not participate.
Ok. No one needs watch trump lying and breathing hard
Awwweeeeee pwtulant man child having a temper tantrum
Because he’s getting his asswhupped again. He just needed an excuse
I hope they let Biden do the “debate” on his own, let him answer all the questions, uninterrupted.
Unbelievable! THEY ARE protecting Biden. POTUS should show up for the in person debate and if Biden doesn't show...that's his problem. Debate committee controlled by DEMS