Trump refuses to attend virtual presidential debate on October 15
Updated 20:53, 08-Oct-2020
CGTN

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he will not take part in the next presidential debate after organizers said it would be held virtually.

"I'm not going to waste my time doing a virtual debate," Trump told Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo.

The Commission on Presidential Debates earlier announced that next week's debate between Trump and U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will be held virtually on October 15.

The audience, who typically ask the candidates questions in the town-meeting format, and moderator Steve Scully will gather in one spot in Florida, Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the commission said in a statement.

The commission said the decision was made "to protect the health and safety of all involved."

Trump was on Wednesday back at work in the Oval Office of the White House just six days after testing positive for COVID-19, despite warnings that his return could put others at risk.  

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Since Trump's diagnosis, more than a dozen White House officials have tested positive for COVID-19.

"I don't think I'm contagious," Trump told Fox news.

Biden told reporters on Tuesday that if Trump still has COVID-19 then the second debate should be called off.

Donald Trump (L) and Joe Biden at the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, September 29, 2020. /Reuters

Donald Trump (L) and Joe Biden at the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, September 29, 2020. /Reuters

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The first presidential debate took place last week in Ohio and was characterized by constant interruptions and little substantive discussion. 

Biden grinned and chuckled his way through the chaos, as a pumped-up Trump, 74, repeatedly ignored the debate rules, clashed with moderator Chris Wallace, again cast doubt on election integrity and refused to condemn white supremacy. 

(With input from agencies)