US election 2020: Second Trump v Biden presidential debate cancelled
The second US presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden has been cancelled.
The nonpartisan commission on presidential debates confirmed October 15's scheduled event would be scrapped.
It comes a week after Donald Trump tested positive for coronavirus, throwing the debate and his own campaign into question.
Donald Trump refuses to take part in virtual presidential debate against Joe Biden
US election 2020: A Britons' guide to Trump v Biden, TV debates and what to look out for
Trump dismissed the idea of a "virtual" debate with Biden, as suggested by the Commission, telling Fox News: “I'm not gonna waste my time... sit behind a computer, ridiculous. I’m not going to do a virtual debate.”
Meanwhile, Joe Biden scheduled a town hall with ABC News for that night once Mr Trump said he would not participate.
Mr Trump’s team later countered with a call to hold the debates as scheduled once the president’s doctor said he would be cleared to hold public events beginning on Saturday.
The US president will also be on the campaign trail on Monday, heading to Florida to drum up support ahead of November 3's election.
Trump tweeted: "Will be in Sanford, Florida on Monday for a very BIG RALLY!"
Hundreds of guests have been invited to the White House on Saturday, although Trump will not be mingling among the guests, as he is expected to deliver a speech from the White House balcony.
Washington Correspondent Robert Moore on Trump's planned White House event: Will it be safe?
The events come despite Dr Anthony Fauci, America's leading infectious disease specialist, saying late September's gathering at the White House was a "superspreader event".
Several of Trump's advisors and senior members of the Republican Party tested positive after attending the event. Many did not wear masks or adhere to social distancing measures.
Despite Trump heading back on the campaign trail, the commission said it would not reverse its decision not to have the candidates on stage together, citing an abundance of caution with health concerns – particularly for the town-hall-style debate that was set to feature questions from average voters.
The third debate, scheduled for October 22 in Nashville, Tennessee, is still on.