Trump and Biden have replaced their debate with something far worse – and that’s a problem

Today should’ve been a historic one. Donald Trump and Joe Biden were set to face each other in Miami in the second of three election debates. However, after the president contracted Covid-19, the CPD ruled that the debate would be hosted online. Trump decided not being able to shout over people in person wasn’t for him, so he cancelled.

In place of the debate, then, we will see something far different – and much more befitting the divisive politics of America today.

Trump and Biden will host separate town halls on competing channels. The former vice president will take questions from voters, aired on ABC News town hall. The president, however, will appear at an outdoor event shown on NBC News. They are both set to begin at 8pm EST. This means viewers will have to choose which political circus they watch, and will not have the chance to make the direct comparisons debates allow for.

After one of the most tumultuous first terms in US history, it is fair to be fatigued with this election before it has even happened. The first debate was chaotic, with an almost entire lack of discussion around policy, and instead just churlish name calling and insults.

That being said, these debates are far from pointless.

As someone who closely monitors search and social media trends, I see what the general public wants to know around major political events like this. Different search terms spike around these debates, a breadth of topics trend across social. Yes, some of these are about the fly on Mike Pence’s head, but there are also far more important questions emerging. When there is a presidential debate, viewers take to Google to search for answers: where do the candidates stand on healthcare and immigration, what exactly is the truth behind the Trump tax return scandal, what did Joe Biden actually say about busing, how many women have accused the president of sexual assault, and so on. By holding these debates, people are able to ask these questions directly, and reputable news sites can provide the answers to them if the candidates don’t.

On social media, although humour dominates on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, salient points are made from influential and knowledgeable people. There are real-time fact checkers being published, educating viewers on the accuracy of what the candidates are saying.

By instead hosting duelling town halls, with no direct confrontation between the candidates, the public loses out on this democratic right. There will almost certainly be fewer viewers, and even fewer asking the questions that need to be asked. Worst of all, the people who might have benefited from hearing a case made by the candidate they haven’t favoured so far will lose an opportunity to see the other party leader in action.

Yours sincerely, 

Lucy Anna Gray

US audience editor