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US election: Second Trump-Biden debate to be virtual amid Covid concerns Presidential debate: Trump refuses to take part in virtual TV event
(32 minutes later)
The second debate between US President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden will be held virtually, the Commission on Presidential Debates has announced. President Donald Trump has refused to take part in a virtual TV debate with his Democratic rival Joe Biden.
The move to a virtual format comes after Mr Trump was diagnosed last week with coronavirus. Earlier the commission deciding the 15 October Miami debate's format said it would have to take place virtually.
His doctor says he has had no symptoms for more than 24 hours. It made the decision after Mr Trump was diagnosed with coronavirus. He was treated in hospital, discharged and has no current symptoms, his doctor says.
The second debate between the rival candidates is scheduled for next Thursday. Mr Trump said the move to virtual was to "protect" his rival. Mr Biden's campaign said he would participate.
The 90-minute event was due to be held at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, with local residents in the audience posing questions to the candidates. The Democrat's campaign said he "looks forward to speaking directly to the American people".
But the commission said candidates would now take part "from separate remote locations". But speaking to Fox Business Channel on Thursday, Mr Trump said: "I'm not gonna waste my time on a personal debate. Sit behind a computer, ridiculous. They cut you off... I'm not doing a virtual debate."
Participants and the moderator will be in Miami. He added: "They're trying to protect Biden."
The commission said the decision was made "to protect the health and safety of all involved". The first debate descended into insults and interruptions. US media used words like "chaos" and "ugly" to describe it.
Mr Trump previously said he looked forward to debating Mr Biden on stage in Miami, saying "it will be great". The vice-presidential debate, held on Wednesday night between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris, was a far more measured affair.
Mr Biden on Monday said he would share a stage with Mr Trump as long as medical experts gave the go-ahead. The next 90-minute presidential event is due to be held at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, with local residents in the audience posing questions to the candidates.
But the commission said candidates would have to take part "from separate remote locations". Participants and the moderator would be in Miami.
The commission said the decision had been made "to protect the health and safety of all involved".
Mr Trump had previously said he looked forward to debating Mr Biden on stage and, on Monday, Mr Biden said he would share a stage with Mr Trump as long as medical experts gave the go-ahead.