The Commission on Presidential Debates has issued new rules ahead for Thursday’s presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee. One of the more controversial rules involves turning off microphones at the upcoming debate.
Similarly to the first debate, the debate will be separated into six 15-minute segments. At the beginning of each segment, each candidate will have two minutes to make remarks. During this two-minute period, the other candidate’s microphone will be muted.
“The Commission is announcing today that in order to enforce this agreed upon rule, the only candidate whose microphone will be open during these two-minute periods is the candidate who has the floor under the rules,” the commission wrote.
“For the balance of each segment, which by design is intended to be dedicated to open discussion, both candidates’ microphones will be open.”
Neither candidate has offered a comment regarding these new rules. Thus far, the President has focused his sights on the debate topics. Members of the Trump campaign have pushed to include “foreign affairs” as a topic for Thursday’s event. However, the debate commission has not budged on the matter.
Former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump will head to Nashville on Thursday for the 9 p.m. on event moderated by Kristen Welker.
