I guess Trump will be showing up? ... I guess it's a little late to make excuses and bail. A week ago I would’ve put money on him not showing up. I’ll laugh my ass off if Trump cites his gag order as the reason for declining.
Hopefully the muting system works as planned: Biden speaks to the question, while Trump is seen playing his accordion, and moving his mouth, but cannot be heard. After the debate, I assume Trump will publicly whine that the system that assures that both candidates be heard and that it’s a two-sided debate led to a one-sided debate where he couldn’t be heard.
The problem with CNN and other news sites is that they normalize Trump. They have a million crazy statements from him to ask him about. It would be nice if the moderator asks Trump a question about battery powered boats and sharks. or maybe one about how much water is needed to wash dishes in a washing machine, or how much lather he likes on his hair. Just let him go on for two minutes on these topics. My hope is that his dementia and mental illness is so apparent that the MSM will feel obligated to report on it now and keep reporting on it.
I could see Trump make his first statement or so, expecting that the moderators may be slightly hesitant to mute him right off the bat, and then the moment it’s Biden’s turn to speak, Trump will try to talk over him, if muted (as he should be) he’ll do the whole “throw up hands in air”, leave, and have a rally on the steps where he’ll tell his fans that he was winning so they silenced him. Although he would have to announce that rally about a week ago if he expects any MAGAs to be loitering around CNN HQ on Techwood Drive on a Thursday evening.
They both should be asked: “Who pays the tariffs on imports?”
Trump: “The Chinese!”
Moderator: “Does that include the tariffs you placed on Canada?
Trump: “…why are you such a terrible person?”