October 15 Presidential Debate Canceled After Trump Refuses To Go Virtual

Topline

The Commission on Presidential Debates canceled the October 15 town hall debate Friday after President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden came to an impasse on how to proceed in the wake of Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis – and the Trump campaign responded by suggesting a debate without the CPD’s involvement.

Key Facts

Chief Critic

Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh shot back in a statement that there is “no medical reason” not to hold an in-person debate, calling the CPD “biased” and accusing them of “protecting” Biden. Murtaugh also asserted Trump and Biden could debate “without the overlords at the commission having a say in the matter,” adding, “We would be glad to debate one-on-one without the commission’s interference.”

Crucial Quote

But the Biden campaign, which has consistently sided with the CPD’s decisions and scheduled a town hall for Oct. 15, blamed the cancelation on Trump and expressed no indication to challenge it. “It’s shameful that Donald Trump ducked the only debate in which the voters get to ask the questions — but it’s no surprise,” Biden campaign rapid response director Andrew Bates told Forbes. “Everyone knows that Donald Trump likes to bully reporters, but obviously he doesn’t have the guts to answer for his record.”

Big Number

22%. That’s the share of voters who said in an Economist/YouGov poll conducted earlier this week that the 2nd debate should be canceled. 44%, a plurality, agreed with the CPD’s decision to go virtual, while 33% said it should go forward as scheduled.

Surprising Fact

2020 will be the first year since 1996 in which there are fewer than three debates between the two major party presidential candidates, underscoring the norm-busting nature of this election season.

What To Watch For

The final debate is scheduled to be in-person and will take place at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. It will be hosted by Kristen Welker, an NBC News White House Correspondent and co-anchor of the Today Show.