Breaking: Debate commission cancels second presidential debate after Trump refuses virtual format



The Commission on Presidential Debates canceled the second debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden after the president refused to participate in the virtual format.

CNN reported the development on Friday evening and cited a source familiar with the plans. The Wall Street Journal first reported the decision.

The reported cancelation of the debate caps off an angry feud between the two campaigns and the commission as they argued over when to have the debate and how to have it conducted safely.

A spokesperson for the Biden campaign released a statement confirming the decision.

"Vice President Biden looks forward to making his case to the American people about how to overcome this pandemic, restore American leadership and our alliances in the world, and bring the American people together," said Andrew Bates.

"It's shameful that Donald Trump ducked the only debate in which the voters get to ask the questions — but it's no surprise," he continued.

"Everyone knows that Donald Trump likes to bully reporters, but obviously he doesn't have the guts to answer for his record to voters at the same time as Vice President Biden," he concluded.

The president tested positive for coronavirus and his physician said in a statement on Thursday that his treatment had gone successfully and that he was ready to begin public appearances again.

Here's more about the debate over the debate:

Trump rejects virtual debate with Bidenwww.youtube.com

Joe Biden says if Trump still has coronavirus by second debate, it should be canceled



Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said on Tuesday that if President Donald Trump was still testing positive for coronavirus at the time of their scheduled second debate, it should be canceled.

The former vice president made the comments to reporters in Hagerstown, Maryland, as he boarded his plane to fly to Maryland.

"I think if he still has COVID, then we shouldn't have a debate," he said, referring to the president.

President Trump stunned the political world when he tweeted early morning Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for coronavirus. He has since gone to Walter Reed Medical Center for treatment and returned to the White House.

"I think we were gonna have to follow very strict guidelines," explained Biden.

"Too many people have been infected," he continued. "It's a very serious problem, so I will be guided by the guidelines of the Cleveland Clinic and what the docs say is the right thing to do. If and when he shows up for debate."

Previously on Monday Biden said that he would debate the president if the experts said it could be done safely.

Watch: Jill Biden pulls Joe Biden further away from press while answering Qs at airport. Biden said he is happy to… https://t.co/cK3fWL78iW
— Bo Erickson CBS (@Bo Erickson CBS)1601913805.0

"Look, if the doctors, listen to the scientists, if the scientists say that... it's safe, that the distances are safe, then I think that's fine," said Biden. "I'll do whatever the experts say is the the appropriate thing to do."

The second debate is scheduled for October 15, while a third has been scheduled for a week later on October 22.

A debate between Vice President Mike Pence and the Democratic vice presidential candidate, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), is also scheduled for Wednesday, October 7th.

A CNN poll showed Biden with a commanding lead after the first debate, but the Trump campaign downplayed the results, and blamed flawed methodology for the reported gap in support.

"They don't have the best, most stellar reputation for being real news," said Trump 2020 campaign press secretary Hogan Gidley of the CNN poll.

Here's more about the current state of the election:

Trump campaign reacts to Biden's 16-point lead in recent pollwww.youtube.com