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Reuters
The first debate descended to insults and interruptions
President Donald Trump has refused to participate in a virtual television debate with his Democratic rival Joe Biden.
Earlier, the commission that decided on the format of the Miami debate on October 15 said it would have to take place virtually.
He made the decision after Trump was diagnosed with coronavirus. He was treated in hospital, released, and has no current symptoms, his doctor says.
Trump said the move to virtual was to “protect” his rival. The Biden campaign said it would participate.
The Democrat’s campaign said it “looks forward to speaking directly to the American people.”
But speaking to Fox Business Channel on Thursday, Trump said: “I’m not going to waste time in a personal debate. Sitting behind a computer, ridiculous. They cut you off … I’m not doing a virtual debate.”
The first debate had descended to insults and interruptions. The US media used words like “chaos” and “ugly” to describe it.
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The vice-presidential debate, held Wednesday night between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris, was a much more measured affair.
The next 90-minute presidential event will be held at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, with local residents in the audience asking questions of the candidates.
But the commission said the candidates would have to participate “from separate remote locations.” The participants and the moderator would be in Miami.
The commission said the decision was made “to protect the health and safety of all those involved.”
The moderator is C-SPAN Political Editor Steve Scully. Trump described him Thursday as a “never trumper.”
Trump had previously said he hoped to debate Biden onstage, and on Monday Biden said he would share the stage with Trump as long as medical experts gave the go-ahead.
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