October 23, 2020
2 mins read

Muted mics, masks rock final presidential debate

Through the 90 minute final presidential debate on Thursday night in Nashville, Tennessee, a mute button, described as “unfair” by US President Donald Trump, cut off interruptions for the initial two minutes of each candidate’s opening remarks…..Nikhila Natarajan reports

It’s so 2020. Not to be outdone by a housefly on US Vice President Mike Pence’s mop of white hair and a transparent plexiglass partition which rocked the Kamala Harris – Mike Pence debate, the mute button has now officially entered the annals of US presidential debate history in the year of a pandemic.

Through the 90 minute final presidential debate on Thursday night in Nashville, Tennessee, a mute button, described as “unfair” by US President Donald Trump, cut off interruptions for the initial two minutes of each candidate’s opening remarks.

Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden faced off with a microphone muzzle which cut off interruptions. The small technical affordance was a big change for the audience and moderator Kristen Welker, the NBC News White House correspondent, who was on the biggest stage of her news career.

Welker is the first Black woman to moderate a presidential debate since Carole Simpson in 1992.

The debate commission had decided on the muzzle earlier this week, after sharp criticism of the messy cross talk in the first presidential debate and moderators’ inability to keep the candidates fenced in.

For Trump, the mute button is the antithesis of everything he has stood for. It’s not something he likes but he bent to its quieting influence today. He grimaced and shook his head but that’s the best he could do – a stark contrast to the raucous opening debate nearly a month ago.

The presence of masks was another remarkable visual from the final debate.

This comes after the Trump White House became a Covid-19 cluster this month. This time, Melania Trump, who was appearing in public for the first time since her virus diagnosis, was wearing a mask.

Before the debate began, the Commission reminded the audience about what happens if the masks come off; “If you won’t leave, you’ll be escorted” .

Trump bookended his performance rapping India, China and Russia for their “filthy” air quality.

He was responding to questions on climate change with some wild Trumpisms.

Meanwhile, Biden leads Trump in national polls by 9.9 points, according to FiveThirtyEight poll average and 7.9 points in the RealClearPolitics poll average.

Also read:US election: Trump struggles on path to 270

Previous Story

US election: Trump struggles on path to 270

Next Story

LG Display swings back to profit after two years

Latest from -Top News

Dalai Lama Turns 90, Rubio Sends Wishes

Ahead of his 90th birthday, the Nobel Peace Laureate also confirmed that he will have a successor…reports Asian Lite News US Senator Marco Rubio extended warm birthday wishes to the Dalai Lama

BRICS must break the digital chains

BRICS nations need to build consensus, balance innovation and social justice by reinforcing the digital sovereignty of Global South, including evenly distribution of benefits through AI, writes Baidya Bikash Basu BRICS, the

Modi begins landmark Argentina visit

First Indian PM to visit in 57 years; economic ties, lithium and trade top agenda Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off a historic visit to Argentina on Saturday by paying homage to
Go toTop