usatoday--2020-10-15--2020 election updates: Harris cancels events after staffer tests positive for COVID, while Trump say

Americans will hear from Donald Trump and Joe Biden on Thursday after all , though not in a debate , and on separate channels with different hosts .
The president and his Democratic challenger will each hold town halls Thursday evening after the second presidential debate was canceled after Trump refused to participate virtually .
Both events start at 8 p.m. EDT .
Biden is in Philadelphia on ABC with George Stephanopoulos and Trump is in Miami with Savannah Guthrie on NBC , which has come under fire for its decision .
The final presidential debate is still scheduled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town hall discussion to focus on Judge Amy Coney Barrett , Trump 's Supreme Court nominee , whose fourth and final day of confirmation hearings wrapped up Thursday .
The closing hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee featured legal experts and character witnesses .
• First lady Melania Trump said Wednesday that after an initial test , 14-year-old Barron Trump tested positive for COVID-19 .
• Could a Justice Amy Coney Barrett mean the end of marriage equality ?
Some LGBTQ+ activists think so .
• Government officials worry that Trump 's `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are meant to intimidate and scare away Black and Hispanic voters .
📆 19 days until Election Day , seven days until the final presidential debate , 97 days until Inauguration Day , 79 days left in 2020 .
🗳 Voting : See USA TODAY 's Voter Guide for information on registering to vote , when your state begins voting and what the candidates think about the issues .
We will update this article throughout the day .
You can follow all of USA TODAY 's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 'We have the votes ' to confirm Barrett , tees up final confirmation for week before election Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday after voting early in Louisville , Kentucky , “ we have the votes ” to confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett .
The full Senate would start to consider her nomination on Oct. 23 , he said , a day after the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on her nomination , which would move the final confirmation vote to the full Senate .
McConnell 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day after she is likely to clear the Senate Judiciary Committee means the soonest the full Senate could vote to confirm her would be Oct. 26 , eight days before Election Day .
`` We 'll go to the floor with her on Friday , the 23rd and stay on it until we finish this , '' McConnell said , adding `` We have the votes . ''
Democrats have conceded Republicans have the votes , but have still spent this week asking the judge pointed questions on abortion , voting rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praised Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ’ s performance at her confirmation hearing this week , telling supporters in North Carolina on Thursday that she was “ flawless .
During an airport campaign rally in Greenville , North Carolina , Trump lauded Barrett as “ a great intellect ” and boasted that she was “ toying ” with Democrats who grilled her during her hearing .
Trump ’ s rally in North Carolina – a key battleground in the Nov. 3 election – is his first stop on a two-day campaign swing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Florida , and Macon , Georgia .
It was also Trump ’ s fourth rally in as many days as he tries to close the gap with Biden .
Biden has consistently maintained an edge over Trump in national polls and in some key battleground states , including North Carolina .
Trump beat Hillary Clinton by 3 percentage points in North Carolina in 2016 , but polls show a close race in the state this year .
Biden holds a 3.3 percentage point lead over Trump in the Tar Heel State in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign manager : ‘ Race is far closer ’ than people on Twitter think Four years after Democrats were burned by polls , Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign is pushing back at pundits on Twitter who are convinced the former vice president has the inside track against Trump .
Recent polls show Biden has built a double-digit lead nationally and widened his leads in several key battleground states .
Biden campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon sought to stop any early celebrating and refocus the Biden troops on the work still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still a long way to go in this campaign , and we think this race is far closer than folks on this website think .
Like a lot closer , ” O ’ Malley Dillon said in a series of tweets Wednesday announcing the campaign ’ s record-setting fundraising totals .
Biden ’ s polling lead comes four years after Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton also led national polling and was seen by most election forecasters as the frontrunner .
There are some key differences , however , this year : Biden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than Clinton did .
He has larger leads in battleground states .
Third-party candidates are getting a smaller share of the vote .
There are fewer undecided voters .
And Biden has maintained a consistent lead throughout a race that has seen little tightening .
Kamala Harris cancels campaign stops after campaign staffer tests positive for COVID-19 Sen. Kamala Harris , the Democratic vice presidential nominee , canceled campaign trips to key battleground states through Sunday after two people associated with the campaign tested positive for COVID-19 .
Harris had planned to campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Charlotte ; on Friday in Cleveland ; and on Saturday in Pennsylvania , in Allentown and Philadelphia .
The positive tests late Wednesday included a flight crew member , who does n't work for the campaign , and the senator ’ s communications director , Liz Allen , according to Biden campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon .
Harris wasn ’ t in close contact with either person within two days of the tests and so faces no obligation to quarantine , Dillon said .
“ Regardless , out of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our campaign ’ s commitment to the highest levels of precaution , we are canceling Senator Harris ’ s travel through Sunday , October 18th , ” Dillon said .
Harris events canceled : Sen. Kamala Harris cancels trips after two linked to campaign test positive for COVID-19 Two weeks after he tested positive for COVID-19 , Trump said Thursday he is not tested for the virus every day .
`` Not every day , but I 'm tested a lot , '' Trump said during an interview on Fox Business Network .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to return to the campaign trail this week , including scheduled appearances Thursday in the swing states of North Carolina and Florida .
Trump has refused to disclose his testing history before he announced his positive test with a tweet in the early morning hours of Oct. 2 .
That leaves open the possibility Trump was infected in previous days that included a fundraiser in New Jersey , a rally in Minnesota , and a debate with Biden in Cleveland .
For months , Trump and his aides claimed he was tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , they have said he was only tested `` regularly . ''
Trump has a rally in Greenville , N.C. , today .
During the Fox interview , Trump rejected the notion that the rallies are contributing to the spread of COVID-19 .
The events are outside , Trump said , and many of his supporters wear masks , citing an event Wednesday in Des Moines , Iowa .
`` There were many , many people wearing masks , '' Trump said .
Biden said Wednesday he raised $ 383 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-month record for a presidential candidate that he set the month before .
It leaves the Biden campaign with a robust $ 432 million on hand less than 20 days before the Nov. 3 election , according to campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillion .
“ That ’ s more than I ’ ve ever raised in my whole life , ” Biden said in a video chat with a supporter posted by the campaign .
“ I ’ m really humbled by it.
” The record-setting fundraising haul comes as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ’ s reelection campaign significantly on television advertising in battleground states .
Biden fundraising : Joe Biden outraises President Donald Trump by more than $ 150M in August The fundraising figure is the combination of money raised by the Biden campaign , the Democratic National Committee and their joint fundraising efforts .
O ’ Malley Dillon said the campaign raised $ 203 million through online donations and had 1.1 million new donors last month , raising the number of unique donors to 5.5 million throughout the campaign .
The Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s fundraising totals for September .
The campaign has until Oct. 20 to submit their financial documents to the Federal Election Commission .
In August , Biden raised $ 364.5 million , shattering the $ 210 million raised by the Trump campaign by $ 154.5 million .

2020 election updates: Harris cancels events after staffer tests positive for COVID, while Trump says no daily testing
Show Caption Hide Caption Barrett hearing: Sen. Kamala Harris talks women's right to an abortion Sen. Kamala Harris highlighted the impact Barrett could have on a woman's right to an abortion on the second day of confirmation hearings. USA TODAY
Americans will hear from Donald Trump and Joe Biden on Thursday after all, though not in a debate, and on separate channels with different hosts.
The president and his Democratic challenger will each hold town halls Thursday evening after the second presidential debate was canceled after Trump refused to participate virtually. Both events start at 8 p.m. EDT. Biden is in Philadelphia on ABC with George Stephanopoulos and Trump is in Miami with Savannah Guthrie on NBC, which has come under fire for its decision.
The final presidential debate is still scheduled for Oct. 22 in Nashville.
Expect some town hall discussion to focus on Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Trump's Supreme Court nominee, whose fourth and final day of confirmation hearings wrapped up Thursday. The closing hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee featured legal experts and character witnesses.
☕ The latest:
📆 19 days until Election Day, seven days until the final presidential debate, 97 days until Inauguration Day, 79 days left in 2020.
🗳 Voting: See USA TODAY's Voter Guide for information on registering to vote, when your state begins voting and what the candidates think about the issues.
We will update this article throughout the day. You can follow all of USA TODAY's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday after voting early in Louisville, Kentucky, “we have the votes” to confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
The full Senate would start to consider her nomination on Oct. 23, he said, a day after the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on her nomination, which would move the final confirmation vote to the full Senate.
McConnell's pledge to bring Barrett's nomination forward one day after she is likely to clear the Senate Judiciary Committee means the soonest the full Senate could vote to confirm her would be Oct. 26, eight days before Election Day.
"We'll go to the floor with her on Friday, the 23rd and stay on it until we finish this," McConnell said, adding "We have the votes."
Democrats have conceded Republicans have the votes, but have still spent this week asking the judge pointed questions on abortion, voting rights and the Affordable Care Act.
- Nicholas Wu and Christal Hayes
Trump praised Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s performance at her confirmation hearing this week, telling supporters in North Carolina on Thursday that she was “flawless.
During an airport campaign rally in Greenville, North Carolina, Trump lauded Barrett as “a great intellect” and boasted that she was “toying” with Democrats who grilled her during her hearing.
Trump’s rally in North Carolina – a key battleground in the Nov. 3 election – is his first stop on a two-day campaign swing that also will take him to Ocala, Florida, and Macon, Georgia.
It was also Trump’s fourth rally in as many days as he tries to close the gap with Biden. Biden has consistently maintained an edge over Trump in national polls and in some key battleground states, including North Carolina.
Trump beat Hillary Clinton by 3 percentage points in North Carolina in 2016, but polls show a close race in the state this year. Biden holds a 3.3 percentage point lead over Trump in the Tar Heel State in the RealClearPolitics average of polls.
– Michael Collins
Four years after Democrats were burned by polls, Joe Biden’s presidential campaign is pushing back at pundits on Twitter who are convinced the former vice president has the inside track against Trump.
Recent polls show Biden has built a double-digit lead nationally and widened his leads in several key battleground states.
Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon sought to stop any early celebrating and refocus the Biden troops on the work still ahead.
“[T]here is still a long way to go in this campaign, and we think this race is far closer than folks on this website think. Like a lot closer,” O’Malley Dillon said in a series of tweets Wednesday announcing the campaign’s record-setting fundraising totals.
Now: Early voting is already underway in many states. Millions of voters have already cast their ballots. But there is still a long way to go in this campaign, and we think this race is far closer than folks on this website think. Like a lot closer. (4/?) — Jen O'Malley Dillon (@jomalleydillon) October 15, 2020
Biden’s polling lead comes four years after Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton also led national polling and was seen by most election forecasters as the frontrunner.
There are some key differences, however, this year: Biden is more consistently topping 50% in polls than Clinton did. He has larger leads in battleground states. Third-party candidates are getting a smaller share of the vote. There are fewer undecided voters. And Biden has maintained a consistent lead throughout a race that has seen little tightening.
- Joey Garrison
Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, canceled campaign trips to key battleground states through Sunday after two people associated with the campaign tested positive for COVID-19.
Harris had planned to campaign Thursday in North Carolina, in Asheville and Charlotte; on Friday in Cleveland; and on Saturday in Pennsylvania, in Allentown and Philadelphia.
The positive tests late Wednesday included a flight crew member, who doesn't work for the campaign, and the senator’s communications director, Liz Allen, according to Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon. Harris wasn’t in close contact with either person within two days of the tests and so faces no obligation to quarantine, Dillon said.
“Regardless, out of an abundance of caution and in line with our campaign’s commitment to the highest levels of precaution, we are canceling Senator Harris’s travel through Sunday, October 18th,” Dillon said.
– Bart Jansen
Harris events canceled: Sen. Kamala Harris cancels trips after two linked to campaign test positive for COVID-19
Two weeks after he tested positive for COVID-19, Trump said Thursday he is not tested for the virus every day.
"Not every day, but I'm tested a lot," Trump said during an interview on Fox Business Network.
Doctors have declared Trump symptom-free, allowing him to return to the campaign trail this week, including scheduled appearances Thursday in the swing states of North Carolina and Florida.
Trump has refused to disclose his testing history before he announced his positive test with a tweet in the early morning hours of Oct. 2. That leaves open the possibility Trump was infected in previous days that included a fundraiser in New Jersey, a rally in Minnesota, and a debate with Biden in Cleveland.
For months, Trump and his aides claimed he was tested every day; since he contracted the virus, they have said he was only tested "regularly."
Trump has a rally in Greenville, N.C., today. During the Fox interview, Trump rejected the notion that the rallies are contributing to the spread of COVID-19. The events are outside, Trump said, and many of his supporters wear masks, citing an event Wednesday in Des Moines, Iowa.
"There were many, many people wearing masks," Trump said.
– David Jackson
Biden said Wednesday he raised $383 million in campaign funds in September, breaking the one-month record for a presidential candidate that he set the month before.
It leaves the Biden campaign with a robust $432 million on hand less than 20 days before the Nov. 3 election, according to campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillion.
“That’s more than I’ve ever raised in my whole life,” Biden said in a video chat with a supporter posted by the campaign. “I’m really humbled by it.”
The record-setting fundraising haul comes as the better-financed Biden campaign is already outspending President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign significantly on television advertising in battleground states.
Biden fundraising: Joe Biden outraises President Donald Trump by more than $150M in August
The fundraising figure is the combination of money raised by the Biden campaign, the Democratic National Committee and their joint fundraising efforts.
O’Malley Dillon said the campaign raised $203 million through online donations and had 1.1 million new donors last month, raising the number of unique donors to 5.5 million throughout the campaign.
The Trump campaign did not respond to a request seeking Trump’s fundraising totals for September. The campaign has until Oct. 20 to submit their financial documents to the Federal Election Commission.
In August, Biden raised $364.5 million, shattering the $210 million raised by the Trump campaign by $154.5 million.
– Joey Garrison


usatoday--2020-10-15--Kamala Harris cancels appearances after two tied to campaign test positive for COVID-19

Kamala Harris cancels appearances after two tied to campaign test positive for COVID-19 Sen. Kamala Harris had planned to campaign @ @ @ @ @ and Pennsylvania before the two people tested positive for COVID-19 .

Kamala Harris halts travel after staffer tests positive for COVID-19
Sen. Kamala Harris had planned to campaign in North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania before the two people tested positive for COVID-19.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-10-15--Sen. Kamala Harris cancels trips after two linked to campaign test positive for COVID-19

Sen. Kamala Harris , the Democratic vice presidential nominee , canceled campaign trips to key battleground states through Sunday after two people associated with the campaign tested positive for COVID-19 .
Harris had planned to campaign Thursday in North Carolina , in Asheville and Charlotte ; on Friday in Cleveland ; and on Saturday in Pennsylvania , in Allentown and Philadelphia .
The positive tests late Wednesday included a flight crew member , who does n't work for the campaign , and the senator ’ s communications director , Liz Allen , according to Jen O ’ Malley Dillon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The last time I saw them was about seven days ago and I have consistently tested negative and they are doing well , '' Harris told a virtual fundraiser Thursday .
`` But for the sake of what we have been trying to do as a campaign , which is really be as cautious as possible , I suspended my trips and my travel for the weekend .
But I ’ ll be back on the road Monday and today already I have been in many states , including Wisconsin virtually.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with either person within two days of the tests and so faces no obligation to quarantine , O'Malley Dillon said .
“ Regardless , out of an abundance of caution and in line with our campaign ’ s commitment to the highest levels of precaution , we are canceling Senator Harris ’ s travel through Sunday , October 18th , ” O'Malley Dillon said .
Biden had a PCR testing for COVID-19 on Wednesday and the virus was n't detected , the campaign said Thursday .
The Biden campaign said it learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aviation company that charters his campaign ’ s planes also tested positive for the virus .
But the campaign said Biden did n't need to quarantine because he was never in close contact with the staffer , who was on flights Monday to Ohio and Tuesday to Florida .
Biden was at least 50 feet from the staffer at all times , both wore masks and the staffer left the plane through the back door , according to O'Malley Dillon .
“ Given these facts , we have been advised by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor and the campaign ’ s medical advisors that there is no need for the vice president to quarantine , ” O'Malley Dillon said .
Harris , who scheduled several virtual fundraisers during that period , plans to continue a `` robust and aggressive '' schedule and plans to return to in-person events Monday , Dillon said .
In place of the missed in-person events in North Carolina on Thursday , Harris planned a virtual event at 6 p.m. with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and Rep. Alma Adams , D-N.C. , to celebrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Harris has been participating virtually this week in the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for President Donald Trump 's Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett .
The committee is scheduled to vote Oct. 22 on the nomination .
Neither the flight crew member nor Allen had contact with Harris or Biden , during the 48 hours before their tests .
But both had been on a flight with Harris Oct. 8 , when each person wore an N-95 mask .
Both the staffers attended personal events during the past week and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , under the campaign 's health protocols , which include regular testing , isolation after time off , wearing masks and social distancing .
`` These protocols help protect the campaign , the staff , and anyone who they may have contact with , '' Dillon said .
She said the value of the health protocols has `` been illustrated once again . ''
Harris has taken two PCR tests since Oct. 8 and both were negative , most recently on Wednesday .
Other staffers have also tested negative .
Harris ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested negative .
But he canceled travel Thursday to Minneapolis with the nominee 's wife , Jill Biden , and will return to the road Friday , headed to Nebraska .
The precautions illustrate a contrast throughout the campaign between Biden and President Donald Trump in how they respond to the virus .
Biden has promoted precautions such as mask wearing and holding campaign events with social distancing .
But Trump , who tested positive Oct. 1 and was briefly hospitalized , has ridiculed Biden for his mask wearing and continued to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of therapeutics and vaccines to combat the virus .
But he argued that Biden used masks and other precautions as a way to hide from tough questions during the campaign and avoid comparisons over the size of rally crowds .
The Biden campaign is tracing contacts of the people who tested positive , in contrast to the White House not tracing people who attended Trump 's announcement about Barrett .
Dozens of people who attended the Barrett event later tested positive .
`` From the outset of this pandemic , the Biden-Harris campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 , '' O'Malley Dillon said .
`` Today ’ s exceedingly cautious steps are part of that commitment . ''

Sen. Kamala Harris cancels trips after two linked to campaign test positive for COVID-19
Show Caption Hide Caption Kamala Harris halts travel after staffer tests positive for COVID-19 Sen. Kamala Harris had planned to campaign in North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania before the two people tested positive for COVID-19. USA TODAY
Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, canceled campaign trips to key battleground states through Sunday after two people associated with the campaign tested positive for COVID-19.
Harris had planned to campaign Thursday in North Carolina, in Asheville and Charlotte; on Friday in Cleveland; and on Saturday in Pennsylvania, in Allentown and Philadelphia.
The positive tests late Wednesday included a flight crew member, who doesn't work for the campaign, and the senator’s communications director, Liz Allen, according to Jen O’Malley Dillon, campaign manager for presidential nominee Joe Biden.
“The last time I saw them was about seven days ago and I have consistently tested negative and they are doing well," Harris told a virtual fundraiser Thursday. "But for the sake of what we have been trying to do as a campaign, which is really be as cautious as possible, I suspended my trips and my travel for the weekend. But I’ll be back on the road Monday and today already I have been in many states, including Wisconsin virtually.”
Harris wasn’t in close contact with either person within two days of the tests and so faces no obligation to quarantine, O'Malley Dillon said.
“Regardless, out of an abundance of caution and in line with our campaign’s commitment to the highest levels of precaution, we are canceling Senator Harris’s travel through Sunday, October 18th,” O'Malley Dillon said.
Biden had a PCR testing for COVID-19 on Wednesday and the virus wasn't detected, the campaign said Thursday.
The Biden campaign said it learned around noon Thursday that a member of the aviation company that charters his campaign’s planes also tested positive for the virus. But the campaign said Biden didn't need to quarantine because he was never in close contact with the staffer, who was on flights Monday to Ohio and Tuesday to Florida.
Biden was at least 50 feet from the staffer at all times, both wore masks and the staffer left the plane through the back door, according to O'Malley Dillon.
“Given these facts, we have been advised by the (former) vice president’s doctor and the campaign’s medical advisors that there is no need for the vice president to quarantine,” O'Malley Dillon said.
Harris, who scheduled several virtual fundraisers during that period, plans to continue a "robust and aggressive" schedule and plans to return to in-person events Monday, Dillon said.
In place of the missed in-person events in North Carolina on Thursday, Harris planned a virtual event at 6 p.m. with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C., to celebrate the first day of in-person early voting.
Harris has been participating virtually this week in the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett. The committee is scheduled to vote Oct. 22 on the nomination.
Neither the flight crew member nor Allen had contact with Harris or Biden, during the 48 hours before their tests. But both had been on a flight with Harris Oct. 8, when each person wore an N-95 mask.
Both the staffers attended personal events during the past week and had to be tested before returning to work, under the campaign's health protocols, which include regular testing, isolation after time off, wearing masks and social distancing.
"These protocols help protect the campaign, the staff, and anyone who they may have contact with," Dillon said. She said the value of the health protocols has "been illustrated once again."
Harris has taken two PCR tests since Oct. 8 and both were negative, most recently on Wednesday. Other staffers have also tested negative. Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, has also tested negative.
But he canceled travel Thursday to Minneapolis with the nominee's wife, Jill Biden, and will return to the road Friday, headed to Nebraska.
The precautions illustrate a contrast throughout the campaign between Biden and President Donald Trump in how they respond to the virus.
Biden has promoted precautions such as mask wearing and holding campaign events with social distancing. But Trump, who tested positive Oct. 1 and was briefly hospitalized, has ridiculed Biden for his mask wearing and continued to hold crowded rallies.
Trump promoted the development of therapeutics and vaccines to combat the virus. But he argued that Biden used masks and other precautions as a way to hide from tough questions during the campaign and avoid comparisons over the size of rally crowds.
The Biden campaign is tracing contacts of the people who tested positive, in contrast to the White House not tracing people who attended Trump's announcement about Barrett. Dozens of people who attended the Barrett event later tested positive.
"From the outset of this pandemic, the Biden-Harris campaign has taken every precaution to limit the spread of COVID-19," O'Malley Dillon said. "Today’s exceedingly cautious steps are part of that commitment."


usatoday--2020-10-16--President Trump asked about $400 million debt claim during NBC town hall

During an NBC town hall , President Trump was asked about the New York Times claim that he is in @ @ @ @ @ .

Pres. Trump says $400m is 'a tiny percentage' what he's worth
During an NBC town hall, President Trump was asked about the New York Times claim that he is in $400 million in debt.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-10-16--A town hall with Trump was testy, a forum with Biden was much quieter: Here are takeaways from each

A canceled presidential debate turned into a tale of of two very different town hall forums .
More than 1,000 miles apart on Thursday , President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden faced voters questions on everything from COVID-19 to race relations to health care .
But one was tense and testy .
The other was conversational and intimate .
Here are five takeaways from the dueling televised appearances : In Miami , NBC moderator Savannah Guthrie grilled Trump for 18 minutes before opening the forum to audience members ' questions .
The president squirmed , chafed , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Guthrie asked Trump if he had taken a COVID-19 test on the day of his debate with Biden , he dodged : `` Possibly I did .
Possibly I didn ’ t. ” When she asked if he had pneumonia during his COVID-19 illness , he said , `` No , but they said the lungs are little bit different , a little bit – perhaps infected . ''
Meanwhile , in Philadelphia , ABC 's George Stephanopoulos went straight to voters ' questions and allowed the former vice president to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Constitution Center , with audience members seated safely distanced , the forum had the feel of an evening lecture hall on a college campus .
Biden was asked Thursday if he supports expanding the Supreme Court as Republicans swiftly move to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett , Trump ’ s nominee to fill the seat vacated by the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
“ I ’ m not a fan , ” Biden said .
“ It depends how this turns out , not how ( Trump ) wins , but how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his running mate , Kamala Harris , have repeatedly been asked whether they support expanding the court , but they have refused to give a clear answer .
The Senate is expected to vote on Barrett ’ s confirmation later this month .
During the town hall , Biden said the Senate shouldn ’ t vote on the confirmation because early voting has already begun .
More than 14 million Americans have early voted .
When pressed about expanding the court , Biden said “ No matter what I answer I gave you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ It won ’ t be about what ’ s going on now , the improper way they ’ re proceeding , ” he continued .
Biden added he will make his position clear before Election Day on Nov. 3 .
Trump on his debts : ‘ $ 400 million is a peanut ’ While discussing the issue of Trump ’ s taxes , he did not deny that he owes entities about $ 400 million , and pledged to tell Americans whom he owes money .
“ I will not mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump said .
He said he doesn ’ t owe money to Russians , and said of whether he owes to any foreign interests , “ Not that I know of.
” The New York Times reported that Trump has had low federal tax bills , just $ 750 for the years 2016 and 2017 and nothing for several other years , and taken major financial losses in his business career .
Trump has declined to release his tax returns , breaking with decades of tradition for presidential candidates .
He cited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the reason , but there is no rule that prohibits him from doing so during an IRS investigation .
He instead points to less detailed annual financial summaries required by law .
Trump was pressed during the town hall about a Times report that showed his real estate company suffered chronic losses .
Trump said “ the numbers are all wrong ” in the report , but did not offer specific details about what was wrong .
“ $ 400 million compared to the assets that I have , all of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
He further minimized the amount .
“ What I ’ m saying is that it ’ s a tiny percentage of my net worth.
” “ The amount of money – $ 400 million , is a peanut , ” Trump said , arguing that his company is under leveraged .
More : VP debate takeaways : 5 things from Mike Pence and Kamala Harris more important than that fly Cedric , a Black progressive voter from Harrisburg , Penn.
, pointedly asked how Biden would turn out young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying “ you ain ’ t Black , ” a reference to a previous comment Biden made .
Cedric noted that he is part of a crucial voting bloc Democrats need to show up to the polls , adding that young Black voters aren ’ t going to vote for Trump but they are weighing whether to vote at all .
Biden gave a stem-winder response , saying he will give more funding to historically black colleges and universities , as well as to Title 1 schools .
The former vice president also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has the overwhelming support among Black Americans , younger voters have been more critical about supporting the former vice president .
During his answer , moderator George Stephanopoulos interjected , asking the voter whether he had heard enough to convince him to vote for the former vice president .
“ There 's a lot more if you want to hang out afterward , I 'll tell you more.
” Biden said , before speaking about how he would combat red-lining practices that exclude Black Americans from home ownership .
After Trump sparred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explicitly condemn white supremacy at the last debate , Guthrie asked him to condemn another group , which has been deemed dangerous by the FBI : QAnon .
Trump maintained he didn ’ t know much about the group , other than that they are “ very much against pedophilia.
” “ I ’ ll tell you what I do know about , I know about antifa and I know about the radical left , ” he said .
Guthrie said to Trump that QAnon falsely alleges the existence of a satanic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a child sex trafficking ring , but he said he couldn ’ t rely on her information to be factual .
“ I just don ’ t know about QAnon , ” Trump said .
“ Why aren ’ t you asking me about antifa ?
” Trump pivoted , referring to the left-wing anti-fascist movement .
“ Why aren ’ t you asking Joe Biden questions about , why doesn ’ t he condemn antifa ?
” Guthrie replied that she had Trump in front of her to ask questions , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after two linked to campaign test positive for COVID-19 'Get the kids back to school ' : Trump uses son 's COVID-19 diagnosis to push for reopening

Deirdre Shesgreen, Rebecca Morin, Jeanine Santucci and Ledyard King, USA TODAY

A town hall with Trump was testy, a forum with Biden was much quieter: Here are takeaways from each
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump town hall: President asked about maskless White House ceremony Moderator Savannah Guthrie asks President Donald Trump about a White House event where multiple attendees were seen without masks. USA TODAY
A canceled presidential debate turned into a tale of of two very different town hall forums.
More than 1,000 miles apart on Thursday, President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden faced voters questions on everything from COVID-19 to race relations to health care.
But one was tense and testy. The other was conversational and intimate.
Here are five takeaways from the dueling televised appearances:
Guthrie grills, Stephanopoulos takes softer tack
In Miami, NBC moderator Savannah Guthrie grilled Trump for 18 minutes before opening the forum to audience members' questions. The president squirmed, chafed, and sarcastically called her "cute."
When Guthrie asked Trump if he had taken a COVID-19 test on the day of his debate with Biden, he dodged: "Possibly I did. Possibly I didn’t.”
When she asked if he had pneumonia during his COVID-19 illness, he said, "No, but they said the lungs are little bit different, a little bit – perhaps infected."
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, ABC's George Stephanopoulos went straight to voters' questions and allowed the former vice president to give sometimes long-winded answers. Held in the National Constitution Center, with audience members seated safely distanced, the forum had the feel of an evening lecture hall on a college campus.
Biden is vague on court packing
Biden was asked Thursday if he supports expanding the Supreme Court as Republicans swiftly move to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s nominee to fill the seat vacated by the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“I’m not a fan,” Biden said. “It depends how this turns out, not how (Trump) wins, but how it’s handled.”
Joe Biden tackles tough issues at ABC Town Hall Former Vice President Joe Biden discussed COVID, the Supreme Court and how he planned to sway young Black voters. USA TODAY
Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, have repeatedly been asked whether they support expanding the court, but they have refused to give a clear answer. The Senate is expected to vote on Barrett’s confirmation later this month.
During the town hall, Biden said the Senate shouldn’t vote on the confirmation because early voting has already begun. More than 14 million Americans have early voted. When pressed about expanding the court, Biden said “No matter what I answer I gave you, that’s the headline tomorrow.”
“It won’t be about what’s going on now, the improper way they’re proceeding,” he continued.
Biden added he will make his position clear before Election Day on Nov. 3.
Trump on his debts: ‘$400 million is a peanut’
While discussing the issue of Trump’s taxes, he did not deny that he owes entities about $400 million, and pledged to tell Americans whom he owes money.
“I will not mind at all saying who it is,” Trump said. He said he doesn’t owe money to Russians, and said of whether he owes to any foreign interests, “Not that I know of.”
The New York Times reported that Trump has had low federal tax bills, just $750 for the years 2016 and 2017 and nothing for several other years, and taken major financial losses in his business career.
Trump has declined to release his tax returns, breaking with decades of tradition for presidential candidates. He cited an ongoing IRS review of his taxes as the reason, but there is no rule that prohibits him from doing so during an IRS investigation. He instead points to less detailed annual financial summaries required by law.
Trump was pressed during the town hall about a Times report that showed his real estate company suffered chronic losses. Trump said “the numbers are all wrong” in the report, but did not offer specific details about what was wrong.
“$400 million compared to the assets that I have, all of these great properties all over the world,” he said.
He further minimized the amount.
“What I’m saying is that it’s a tiny percentage of my net worth.”
“The amount of money – $400 million, is a peanut,” Trump said, arguing that his company is under leveraged.
More: 100 top stars, producers express outrage to NBC over Trump's dueling town hall
More: VP debate takeaways: 5 things from Mike Pence and Kamala Harris more important than that fly
Biden pressed on 'you ain't Black' comment
Cedric, a Black progressive voter from Harrisburg, Penn., pointedly asked how Biden would turn out young Black voters under 30, other than saying “you ain’t Black,” a reference to a previous comment Biden made. Cedric noted that he is part of a crucial voting bloc Democrats need to show up to the polls, adding that young Black voters aren’t going to vote for Trump but they are weighing whether to vote at all.
Biden gave a stem-winder response, saying he will give more funding to historically black colleges and universities, as well as to Title 1 schools. The former vice president also highlighted investing in Black entrepreneurs.
While Biden has the overwhelming support among Black Americans, younger voters have been more critical about supporting the former vice president.
During his answer, moderator George Stephanopoulos interjected, asking the voter whether he had heard enough to convince him to vote for the former vice president.
“I think so,” the voter replied.
“There's a lot more if you want to hang out afterward, I'll tell you more.” Biden said, before speaking about how he would combat red-lining practices that exclude Black Americans from home ownership.
Trump refuses to condemn conspiracy group QAnon
After Trump sparred with moderator Savannah Guthrie about his hesitancy to explicitly condemn white supremacy at the last debate, Guthrie asked him to condemn another group, which has been deemed dangerous by the FBI: QAnon.
Trump maintained he didn’t know much about the group, other than that they are “very much against pedophilia.”
“I’ll tell you what I do know about, I know about antifa and I know about the radical left,” he said.
Guthrie said to Trump that QAnon falsely alleges the existence of a satanic "deep state" apparatus that supports a child sex trafficking ring, but he said he couldn’t rely on her information to be factual.
“I just don’t know about QAnon,” Trump said.
“You do know,” Guthrie pressed.
“Why aren’t you asking me about antifa?” Trump pivoted, referring to the left-wing anti-fascist movement. “Why aren’t you asking Joe Biden questions about, why doesn’t he condemn antifa?”
Guthrie replied that she had Trump in front of her to ask questions, not Biden.
“Haha, so cute,” Trump responded.
More:
Sen. Kamala Harris cancels trips after two linked to campaign test positive for COVID-19
Trump, Biden camps declare victory after rambunctious, insult-heavy debate
'Get the kids back to school': Trump uses son's COVID-19 diagnosis to push for reopening