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MIC DROP

Trump’s mic could be CUT as debate commission vows change after slugfest – as GOP says it’s because Biden ‘got pummeled’

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s microphone could be cut off during the next 2020 debate against Joe Biden according to new rules after the opponents’ Tuesday night slugfest.

The Commission on Presidential Debates said on Wednesday it would be adopting changes to the debate format –

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President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden repeatedly interrupted each other during the Tuesday night debate
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President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden repeatedly interrupted each other during the Tuesday night debateCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Biden, however, interrupted a far less number of times, according to a Washington Post analysis
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Biden, however, interrupted a far less number of times, according to a Washington Post analysisCredit: EPA

But campaign has said any changes are only being considered because “got pummeled last night.

“President Trump was the dominant force and now Joe Biden is trying to work the refs,” Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh . 

“They shouldn’t be moving the goalposts and changing the rules in the middle of the game.”

, moderator was frequently interrupted by the candidates – primarily Trump – and he struggled to gain control of the event in .

Moderator Chris Wallace struggled to get the debate under control
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Moderator Chris Wallace struggled to get the debate under controlCredit: AP:Associated Press

from The Washington Post, Wallace was interrupted 90 times – 71 times by Trump. 

At one point, the Fox News anchor pleaded for order between the candidates.

The Commission on Presidential Debates said they might allow the moderator to cut a candidate's mic off during future debates
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The Commission on Presidential Debates said they might allow the moderator to cut a candidate's mic off during future debatesCredit: AFP

He looked at Trump and said: “The country would be better served if we allowed both people to speak with fewer interruptions. I’m appealing to you, sir, to do that.”

“Ask him, too,” Trump said, to which Wallace replied, “Well, frankly, you’ve been doing more interrupting than he has.”

The commission said the debate “made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues.”

One of the changes being discussed for the next two debates while the other is talking.

Biden and Fox News anchor Wallace are seen here during the first debate in Cleveland, Ohio
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Biden and Fox News anchor Wallace are seen here during the first debate in Cleveland, OhioCredit: EPA
Wallace asked Trump to stop interrupting while Biden spoke
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Wallace asked Trump to stop interrupting while Biden spokeCredit: Alamy Live News

On Tuesday night, Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden with angry and personal jabs that mostly overshadowed the different visions each man has for a nation facing historic crises.

In the most tumultuous presidential debate in recent memory, .

There were also heated clashes over the president's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the integrity of the election results, , and how will shape the future of the nation's health care.

The two men frequently talked over each other with Trump interrupting – nearly shouting – so often that Biden

Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden with angry and personal jabs that mostly overshadowed the different visions each man has for a nation facing historic
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Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden with angry and personal jabs that mostly overshadowed the different visions each man has for a nation facing historicCredit: Getty - Pool

On Wednesday morning, Trump as being a poor moderator who “had a tough night” and said he had “fun” during the debate. 

Biden called the debate “a national embarrassment.”

Despite some suggestions that the final two presidential debates be canceled, both campaigns said they expected their candidate to attend.

The Nielsen company said that 73.1million people watched the debate, which was more than any other television event since .

Both candidates are seen here with their wives, First Lady Melania Trump and Dr Jill Biden, on stage after the debate ended
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Both candidates are seen here with their wives, First Lady Melania Trump and Dr Jill Biden, on stage after the debate endedCredit: Reuters

It fell short, however, of the 84million who watched the first debate between Trump and in 2016 – the most-watched presidential debate ever.

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The next presidential debate .

C-SPAN’s Steve Scully will moderate the event, which will be a format similar to a town hall, where Biden and Trump will be asked questions on various topics by undecided voters.

Trump tells moderator Chris Wallace 'I'm debating YOU' during clash
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