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Trump refuses to 'waste time' on 2nd presidential debate as it goes virtual, Internet says 'scared we'd mute him'

The 2nd presidential debate due to take place on October 15 will be virtual and Biden has already agreed to participate

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced on Thursday, October 8 morning that the second debate between presidential candidate Joe Biden and President Donald Trump will be made virtual. A little after the announcement was made, Trump revealed that he refused to take part in a virtual debate while speaking to Fox Business. Trump, who has been diagnosed with Covid-19 said, "I'm not going to do a virtual debate. No, I'm not going to waste my time with a virtual debate."

Earlier, the Biden campaign shared that the former vice president was ready to take part in the virtual event. In a statement to ABC News, the campaign said, "Vice President Biden looks forward to speaking directly to the American people and comparing his plan for bringing the country together and building back better with Donald Trump's failed leadership on the coronavirus that has thrown the strong economy he inherited into the worst downturn since the Great Depression."

The town hall format is scheduled for October 15 but CPD said, "in order to protect the health and safety of all involved" the candidates would participate remotely from separate locations. As planned earlier, questioners will be with moderator Steve Scully at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida. 

The safety of the debate had come to be questioned after President Donald Trump tested positive for Covid-19 and had to be hospitalized at the Walter Reed Medical Center. Trump returned to the White House, earlier this week on Monday, October 5. White House correspondent, Jim Acosta had taken to Twitter to share, "Trump says no to virtual debate." Many social media users have slammed Trump for his recklessness and his decision to not participate in a virtual debate. 

One such social media user shared, "If you are so proud of your accomplishments and truly believe your policies will help the American people, you wouldn’t care where or how the debate is being held. You just want to keep getting your message out." Another outraged social media user commented and wrote, "Will never understand support for a 'man' reckless enough to politicize wearing a mask and now determined to infect as many people as possible with a killer virus." Yet another user chimed in and said, "I hope Biden takes a stand against him and will not do an in person debate. There is no reason in the middle of a pandemic to be in person. Especially with the 'president' being positive. More people need to stand up to him unabashedly."

"Of course he doesn’t want a virtual debate because he’s been looking for an excuse to not have to embarrass himself again. He also doesn’t like the fact that with a virtual debate they can mute him easily as they should," commented another social media user. Yet another user who echoed the same sentiments had written, "Surely he would relish any chance to debate his opponent? Only someone afraid of his abysmal record would not want to take part. Or is it being worried that a remote moderator will be able to mute him for talking over everyone & he won't get to act the bully boy again?"