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After refusing to participate in 'virtual' debate, Trump team pushes for schedule changes; Biden refuses

WION Web Team
WashingtonUpdated: Oct 09, 2020, 12:14 AM IST
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US President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden at Presidential debate Photograph:(Reuters)

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Joe Biden had earlier expressed concern over appearing for the next TV debate after President Trump was detected with the virus.

The next US presidential debate between President Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden will be "virtual", organizers said on Thursday.

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However, according to reports, Trump said he will not "participate" in a virtual presidential debate.

"I'm not going to do a virtual debate," the US president told a TV news network while adding that it was "not acceptable to us."

Amid the confusion, Trump's campaign manager Bill Stepien said: "An in-person town hall debate, with questions from voters, "should happen on October 22, and accordingly, the third debate should then be shifted back one week to October 29."

However, Biden's team asserted that President Trump cannot "rewrite the calendar". 

Joe Biden had earlier expressed concern over appearing for the next TV debate after President Trump was detected with the virus.

"I'm looking forward to being able to debate him, but I just hope all the protocols are followed," Biden had said, adding," "If he still has COVID, we shouldn't have a debate."

Biden and Trump are set to clash again on October 15. Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 just two days after his first debate with Biden. 

Biden and Trump are set to clash again on October 15.