Trump to attend next two presidential debates despite opposing rule changes
Donald Trump opposes changing the rules for the remaining two presidential debates against Democrat Joe Biden â but his campaign has said he will attend regardless.
Tuesdayâs opening debate in Cleveland quickly turned chaotic, with frequent interruptions by the candidates â particularly Mr Trump.
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) said on Wednesday that it âintends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debatesâ.
The commission and representatives from Mr Trumpâs and Mr Bidenâs campaigns met on Wednesday morning to discuss the previous nightâs debate and potential changes.
But the commission, which has organised every general election debate since 1988, did not specify what changes it is considering.
Mr Trump tweeted on Thursday that he opposed any changes. âWhy would I allow the Debate Commission to change the rules for the second and third Debates when I easily won last time,â he tweeted shortly after landing in New Jersey, where he was to hold a campaign fundraiser at his private golf club.
On a conference call with reporters, Mr Trumpâs re-election campaign indicated that he would attend the remaining debates regardless of whether the rules are changed.
âWeâre ready to move on to the second and third debates,â said campaign communications strategist Jason Miller. âThere shouldnât be any changes. We donât want any changes.â
Andrew Bates, a spokesman for Mr Biden, said âwe will participate under the CPDâs rulesâ.
Organisers and both campaigns expect that the next presidential debate, a âtown meetingâ set for October 15 in Miami, will be more orderly, as the candidates address questions asked directly to them by voters.
The third and final debate, set for October 22 in Nashville, is slated to feature a similar format to Tuesdayâs event.
