Presidential debate moved to Miami after University of Michigan president questions ability to 'safely host' it

One of this fall's presidential debates is headed south.

The faceoff between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden scheduled for Oct. 15 at the University of Michigan will be moved to Miami, the university announced Tuesday. The University of Michigan said it feared it was "not feasible for us to safely host the presidential debate as planned," and the nonpartisan Committee on Presidential Debates agreed to move it.

University President Mark Schlissel cited the "scale and complexity" of preserving a "safe and healthy fall for our students, faculty, and staff" as they return to campus, as well as expert advice and public health guidelines, in making his decision, he said in a statement. Michigan faced an early COVID-19 outbreak and quickly moved to shut down businesses and schools, eventually prompting small statehouse protests from those who wanted the shutdowns to end. Meanwhile, Florida avoided large-scale case counts early on in the pandemic, but has since seen a sharp increase in positive COVID-19 cases as its businesses begin to reopen.

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The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami will now host the event with just one moderator. It's unclear if there will be an in-person audience for the debate.