• Latest
  • Trending
Trump nominated for Nobel peace prize amid racial violence in US

Trump says he won’t participate in next debate after commission announces it will be virtual

October 8, 2020
Why Nigeria must discontinue dependence on crude oil – CBN governor

Households, businesses can still apply for N50bn COVID-19 loans,says CBN (SEE HOW TO APPLY)

April 13, 2021
UPDATED: Makinde’s candidate, Arapaja emerges South West PDP chairman

UPDATED: Makinde’s candidate, Arapaja emerges South West PDP chairman

April 13, 2021
South West PDP congress: Arapaja confident of victory, promises to work with Olafeso

[BREAKING]: PDP zonal congress: Makinde floors Fayose as Arapaja polls 343 votes

April 13, 2021
PDP must retire Bode George to win Lagos- Fayose

Gunshots as Fayose leaves South West PDP congress venue

April 12, 2021
PDP zonal congress: Makinde is my leader- Fayose

PDP zonal congress: Makinde is my leader- Fayose

April 12, 2021
NIPOST boss, Adewusi bags Strategic Institute’s Fellowship Award, harps  on efficiency in service delivery

NIPOST boss, Adewusi bags Strategic Institute’s Fellowship Award, harps on efficiency in service delivery

April 12, 2021
Police redeploy Zamfara DPO for allegedly working with bandits

Police arrest three suspected kidnappers on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

April 12, 2021
South West PDP congress: Arapaja confident of victory, promises to work with Olafeso

South West PDP congress: Arapaja confident of victory, promises to work with Olafeso

April 12, 2021
PDP zonal congress: I’ll congratulate Arapaja if election is fair, credible- Olafeso

PDP zonal congress: I’ll congratulate Arapaja if election is fair, credible- Olafeso

April 12, 2021
FAAN bars drivers from picking arriving passengers in front of airport terminals

FAAN bars drivers from picking arriving passengers in front of airport terminals

April 12, 2021
We are investigating alleged high-handedness of Amotekun, says Makinde

PDP zonal congress: Why delegates’ accreditation was delayed for two hours- Makinde

April 12, 2021
JUST IN: Afenifere spokesman, Odumakin dies of COVID-19

Odumakin for burial April 24- Family

April 12, 2021
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
  • Login
Newspeakonline
  • News
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Technology
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Newspeak ExclusivesNew
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Technology
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Newspeak ExclusivesNew
No Result
View All Result
Newspeak
Home Americas

Trump says he won’t participate in next debate after commission announces it will be virtual

Akinwande Soji-Ojo by Akinwande Soji-Ojo
October 8, 2020
in Americas
Reading Time: 4 min
0
Trump nominated for Nobel peace prize amid racial violence in US
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on Telegram
UBA Banner 533×166
FirstBank Dec29

United States President, Donald Trump, on Thursday said that he will not participate in the second presidential debate with Joe Biden after the Commission on Presidential Debates said the event will be held virtually in the wake of the the President’s positive coronavirus diagnosis, CNN reports.

“I am not going to do a virtual debate.I am not going to waste my time on a virtual debate,” Trump said on Fox Business.

RelatedPosts

I plan to run for reelection, says Joe Biden

US House passes immigration bills to legalise undocumented immigrants

Biden reverses Trump’s ban on work visa

Biden’s campaign on Thursday swiftly agreed to the virtual format, scheduled to be held on October 15. But Trump’s comment throws the debate into question after the commission took the significant step to wholly remake the event. The move was seen as needed by members of the debate commission given the uncertainty around the President’s health.

Politically, if Trump skips the debate, he’ll be deprived of a platform that he needs at a time when his campaign is trailing in every national poll and in a number of key swing states. The first event was watched by more than 73 million people.

Frank Fahrenkopf, head of the debate commission, told CNN that the commission spoke with both campaigns “just before” they announced that the second debate would be held virtually.

“We did not consult with them,” he said, adding that their decision is “supported by the Cleveland Clinic,” the commission’s health advisers.

Biden campaign spokeswoman, Kate Bedingfield responded to Trump’s refusal to participate by noting Biden would be happy to appear virtually, but said if the President declines to appear, the former vice president “will find an appropriate place to take questions from voters directly on October 15th.”

Bedingfield also asked the commission to push what would have been a town hall style debate — where actual voters ask questions to October 22 so that “the President is not able to evade accountability.”

“The voters should have a chance to ask questions of both candidates, directly,” she said.

Trump complained during the interview with Fox that a virtual debate would mean he would have to “sit behind a computer” and the moderator could “cut you off whenever they want.” But a virtual debate is not unprecedented — the third contest between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy in 1960 occurred with both candidates in different locations.

Bill Stepien, Trump’s campaign manager, accused the commission on Thursday of “unilaterally canceling an in-person debate” to help Biden and said the President will be holding a rally instead of attending the debate.

Fahrenkopf noted that it was fully within the President’s right to decline to debate.

“There is no law requiring any presidential candidate to debate. In fact, in 1980, Jimmy Carter, president of the United States, refused to participate in the first debate, but he did participate in the second debate. So it is up to every candidate to decide whether they want to debate or not,”Fahrenkopf said.

The commission met on Wednesday to discuss the change. The group, made up of three co-chairs and 10 board members, voted unanimously to make the change, two members of the commission tell. One member was absent and did not vote.

Thursday’s announcement by the commission came hours after the Vice President, Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential nominee, Kamala Harris debated in person on Wednesday night, albeit separated by plexiglass.

Biden allies celebrate announcement

People close to Biden are elated with the current state of play around debates, feeling that Democrats are in a win-win position whether or not Trump decides to debate next week.

The thinking goes like this: The first debate worked well for Biden, so they are fine with having another. But Trump fuming about a virtual debate because of his own coronavirus diagnosis plays directly into their messaging on his recklessness around the virus and, if the President doesn’t backtrack, having no debate deprives the incumbent of a massive TV audience he needs right now.

“Here is Joe Biden’s thought process: He wants to do the debates. It was a big win for him in the first debate and any time Joe can stand on stage with Trump, it is good for Joe Biden,” said Terry McAuliffe, a former Virginia governor and close Biden ally.

“Biden is going to go on, and if Trump doesn’t want to go … We could not be in a better place on these debates,” McAuliffe added.

McAuliffe, who is also a CNN political commentator, said there is a sense that Trump won’t stick with his no-debate position and will eventually agree to the virtual format.

“Trump needs debates like he needs oxygen. He needs a Hail Mary. He is down everywhere. Ultimately, I can’t see him not doing it. He needs the exposure,” the former Virginia governor said.

Related

Tags: Presidential debateTrumpUS Election
Previous Post

WTO: I couldn’t have made it without your support, Okonjo-Iweala thanks Buhari, Nigerians

Next Post

JUST IN: Again, FG releases fresh guidelines for reopening of schools

Related Posts

Applicants denied visas under Trump’s travel ban can reapply -US

Applicants denied visas under Trump’s travel ban can reapply -US

March 10, 2021
FULL TEXT: Joe Biden’s inaugural address

Biden reverses Trump’s ban on work visa

February 25, 2021

BREAKING: Trump celebrates as US Senate acquits him of inciting insurrection

February 13, 2021

Why pastors, prophets should stop prophesying about elections – Abiara

January 23, 2021

Trump lists achievements in farewell speech, says it was miracle

January 20, 2021

Trump, Pence meet as Democrats move to impeach president

January 12, 2021

I won’t attend Biden’s inauguration- Trump

January 8, 2021
Next Post
BREAKING: FG okays full reopening of schools, relaxes curfew

JUST IN: Again, FG releases fresh guidelines for reopening of schools

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Nigeria COVID-19 Live Update

NIGERIA

Confirmed
163,837
Deaths
2,061
Recovered
154,177
Active
7,599
Last updated: April 13, 2021 - 8:21 am (+01:00)

Global

Confirmed
137,288,579
+39,108
Deaths
2,959,765
+1,442
Recovered
110,484,388
Active
23,844,426
Last updated: April 13, 2021 - 8:21 am (+01:00)

PFN EASTER MESSAGE TO NIGERIA

Newspeakonline

© 2020 Newspeak & Associates
Optimized by IChannelTech.

Navigate Site

  • Breaking News
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Interview
  • Newpeak Magazine
  • Newspeak Exclusives
  • Politics
  • COVID-19 Update

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Technology
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
  • Opinion
  • Interview
  • Newspeak Exclusives

© 2020 Newspeak & Associates
Optimized by IChannelTech.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
✕
Newspeak

FREE
VIEW