The Commission on Presidential Debates announced on Monday, Oct. 19 that 2020 presidential candidates’ — Donald Trump and Joe Biden — microphones will be muted during portions of Thursday’s debate to allow for uninterrupted speeches.
The commission met Monday afternoon to discuss potential rule changes to the debate format, and the announcement came late that same evening.
“The commission is announcing today that in order to enforce the agreed upon [two-minute, uninterrupted] rule, the only candidate whose microphone will be open during those two-minute periods is the candidate who has the floor under the rules,” The Commission on Presidential Debates said in a press release.
Junior Luke Audus initially disagreed with the idea of muting the candidates’ microphones because he thought it would raise questions as to the moderators’ biases and increase overall political division. However, he changed his mind once he learned of the commission’s plan.
“As a debater, I feel like that’s a well implemented plan,” Audus said. “[It’s beneficial] when a candidate has two minutes to talk their mind and actually unveil their plans, instead of it being a free-flowing thing.”
The second and final debate will be held on Thursday at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. Kristen Welker of NBC News will serve as moderator and the topics of discussion will include: “Fighting COVID-19,” “American Families,” “Race in America,” “Climate Change,” “National Security” and “Leadership.”
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