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Tags: debate | covid-19 | pandemic

Biden, Trump Won't Shake Hands at Presidential Debate

the site of the presidential debate between donald trump and joe biden
The site of the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. (ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images)

By    |   Monday, 28 September 2020 01:42 PM EDT

The traditional good sportsmanship handshake is out of the question for President Donald Trump and Joe Biden at the first presidential debate of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, reports CNN.

The debate takes place Tuesday night in Cleveland, Ohio, at Case Western Reserve University.

The Commission on Presidential Debates made the announcement Sunday night, along with several other restrictions.

Trump, Biden, and moderator Chris Wallace will not wear masks once on stage and all attendees will be tested for COVID-19 prior to the event. Less than 70 audience members will be allowed at the venue.

"Upon entering the stage, President Trump will be standing at a podium on the right side of the stage looking out at the audience, and former Vice President Biden will be standing at a podium to the left side of the stage looking out at the audience," Peter Eyre, a senior CPD adviser, told reporters Sunday.

"Everyone in the debate hall will be subject to a variety of health safety protocols, including COVID testing," Eyre said.

Solange Reyner

Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.

© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


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The traditional good sportsmanship handshake is out of the question for President Donald Trump and Joe Biden at the first presidential debate of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
debate, covid-19, pandemic
173
2020-42-28
Monday, 28 September 2020 01:42 PM
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