Mute button to be used in final presidential debate to stop Trump, Biden interruptions

Donald Trump and Joe Biden will have their microphones muted during the next presidential debate so each can have their speaking time uninterrupted.

The decision was made this morning by the Commission on Presidential Debates, after the first meeting between the pair was marred with constant interruptions and crosstalk.

The microphones won't be muted throughout the debate, but each candidate will be able to make their opening two-minute answer to each topic without the other speaking.

The commission said it "had determined that it is appropriate to adopt measures intended to promote adherence to agreed upon rules and inappropriate to make changes to those rules".

The Biden campaign had been pushing to make changes after the debacle of the first debate in Ohio.

But the Trump camp was holding firm against any changes being made to the rules.

Mr Trump interrupted his opponent or the moderator 71 times in the first debate. Mr Biden interrupted 22 times.

Moderator Chris Wallace had to implore the president to stop interjecting as Mr Biden was speaking.

"Mr President, your campaign agreed both sides would get two-minute answers, uninterrupted," Mr Wallace said.

"Your side agreed to it, and why don't you observe what your campaign agreed to as a ground rule?"

Mr Biden was less diplomatic.

"Will you shut up, man?" Mr Biden said.

The final debate is being held this Thursday in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 90-minute debate is being split into six 15-minute segments.

The segments, announced four days ago, will be on COVID-19, "American Families", race, climate change, national security and leadership.

The second debate was cancelled after coronavirus-infected Mr Trump refused to participate in a virtual event.

Election Day is November 3, but millions of ballots have already been cast.

The Commission on Presidential Debates is a non-profit organisation tasked with developing the rules for the events.