Trump Refuses to Engage in Virtual Debate ‘Coz He Can Muted & Cut Off When Required

Just like Singapore, the US is going to have an election during the Covid-19 pandemic.

And this one might prove to be one of the most important elections in the country’s history, given the turmoil that racial tensions and a bungled response to the coronavirus has brought.

Typically, before an election in the US, televised debates are held between the presidential nominees, as well as the prospective vice-presidents.

On 30 Sep, US President Donald Trump went up against his election opponent Joe Biden in what was supposed to be a civilised debate, but turned out to be two hours of turkeys squabbling.

The next presidential debate was supposed to be held on 15 Oct, but there’s just one problem: Trump has Covid-19.

Biden has urged organisers to call off the debate if Trump still has the disease, to prevent further transmission of the virus.

The organisers haven’t called the debate off, but they have changed its format, which has enraged one of its participants.

Trump Refuses to Engage in Virtual Debate for 2nd Presidential Debate with Joe Biden

Instead of shouting at each other from across the room, Trump and Biden will have their second debate virtually, amidst concerns about the president’s Covid-19 infection.

Trump, however, isn’t pleased with this arrangement, and has refused to participate in it.

For those who don’t know, Trump tested positive for the coronavirus last Friday (2 Oct), and while he has played down his symptoms, some sources have said his condition was “concerning”.

Trump has reportedly made a recovery, but the White House has declined to say when the president last tested negative for the virus.

Which means he’s probably still positive. 

This is why the debate commission has chosen to go virtual, to protect not only Biden but the moderator and audience members as well.

The president, however, has slammed the new arrangement, and expressed concern that his microphone could be cut off.

“You sit behind a computer and do a debate – it’s ridiculous, and then they cut you off whenever they want.

“I’m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate. That’s not what debating is all about,” Trump told his favourite news channel Fox Business.

Yes, a debate is all about interrupting your opponent and insulting them. 

Debate Could Be Postponed

As a result, both parties have proposed pushing back the debate to 22 Oct – the date of what was supposed to be their third and final debate.

Trump’s team proposed having a third debate on 29 October, but Biden’s campaign has rejected the move.

“Trump’s erratic behaviour does not allow him to rewrite the calendar, and pick new dates of his choosing,” said Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s deputy campaign manager.

Now, instead of a debate, Biden plans to organise a televised town hall-style event on 15 Oct instead, where he can address voters’ concerns and discuss important issues.

Trump Intends to Hold Rally

Trump, on the other hand, will soon return to public engagements, with the blessing of his doctor, just 10 days after his diagnosis.

This is concerning for two reasons:

1. Trump’s doctor hid information from the public when Trump was first infected
2. The White House has declined to say when the president last tested negative for the virus

So, there’s no good reason to believe that Trump is completely fine, that he’s not infectious, or that he’s tested negative for the virus.

In spite of all this, Trump wants to return to public events, which includes holding rallies with thousands of people, most of whom won’t practise safe distancing or wear masks.

“I’d love to do a rally tonight. I wanted to do one last night,” Trump said, adding that “if I’m at a rally, I stand by myself very far away from everybody.”