Trump ‘Intends to Be Ready’ to Debate Biden, Opposes Mute Button

Trump is released from hospital as Oct. 15 debate approaches
Plexiglass is approved for use at the vice presidential debate

Donald Trump, center, speaks as Joe Biden, right, listens during the first U.S. presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sept. 29.Photographer: Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Mario Parker

October 5, 2020 at 5:08 PM EDT

Updated on

October 5, 2020 at 8:22 PM EDT

This article is for subscribers only.

President Donald Trump “intends to be ready to debate” Democratic nominee Joe Biden next week, despite having been hospitalized with Covid-19, Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said Monday.

Murtaugh added, however, that the campaign would not agree to the moderator being able to mute the candidates when their time has expired to prevent the kind of interruptions and cross-talk -- mostly by Trump -- that marred the first presidential forum last week.