NASHVILLE – Belmont University officials say they remain committed to hosting the third and final 2020 presidential debate in late October despite the coronavirus pandemic and two other host cities having pulled out of the first and second debates over health concerns.
In a statement, Belmont University President Bob Fisher said the university “strongly believes in the importance of these debates to the democratic process, and enthusiastically affirms its intent to host the third and final debate on Oct. 22.”
The Belmont debate featuring President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden is scheduled to be held at the university’s Curb Event Center.
Citing the involvement of the Cleveland Clinic as health adviser, Fisher said it “gives us even greater confidence that we can host this historic event while keeping the safety of our campus community, the candidates, campaign staffs, members of the press and all other guests as the top priority.”
In 2008, Belmont, a private university, hosted a presidential debate between then-Democratic nominee and later president Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.