Dispute over second debate

Donald Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis has prompted speculation that the second presidential debate between the Republican president and Joe Biden, his Democratic opponent, could be held virtually to avoid the risk of spreading infection.

The second debate is scheduled to take place on Oct 15 in Miami and was intended to be a “town hall” format, where members of the audience ask the two candidates questions.

Given Mr Trump and several of his aides have either tested positive for Covid-19 or been exposed to the virus, political strategists have raised the possibility that the head-to-head could be conducted online rather than in person.

However Jason Miller, a senior Trump campaign adviser, pushed back on the suggestion yesterday, telling NBC: “No, we’re in a campaign. We have a month to go… Certainly, they’re not asking for remote debate.”

The Commission on Presidential Debates has agreed to seat the pair 12ft apart after the Biden campaign raised health and safety objections to the original spacing between the two candidates.