Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) criticized President Joe Biden for backing out of a debate at Virginia State University, accusing him of neglecting students. Biden opted to participate in debates against his rival, former President Donald Trump, instead of those organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates, including one at VSU that was scheduled for October 1. This debate was set to be the second of three in a series chosen by the commission, with the others taking place in Texas and Utah. VSU would have been the first historically black university to host a presidential debate.
Youngkin expressed disappointment in Biden’s decision, stating that it was a missed opportunity to engage with students, Virginians, and the nation. Prior to Biden’s announcement, his campaign chairwoman, Jen O’Malley Dillon, had raised concerns about the timing of the debates, claiming they were too late in the election year. The Commission defended its choice of dates, citing early voting rules in different states.
In response to the controversy, the Commission also criticized its own handling of rules during the 2020 debates, accusing itself of being unable to enforce them effectively. The Truth Voices sought comments from the Biden campaign, the Commission on Presidential Debates, and Virginia State University.
