WASHINGTON — In lieu of a second debate, President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent Joe Biden will participate in competing town halls Thursday night. 

The candidates were originally scheduled to square off in a town hall debate on this day in Miami. But the Commission on Presidential Debates last week announced the debate would be held virtually due to the president's COVID-19 diagnosis on Oct. 1.

Trump quickly swatted down the idea of participating in a virtual debate, and his campaign later asked that the second and third debates be pushed back a week. The commission declined to change the dates, and said that they would not hold a town hall debate with just one candidate. The debate was officially cancelled on Friday.

Biden’s campaign was quick to announce a town hall after the president initially backed out of the planned second debate. The former vice president's town hall will be hosted by ABC News at 8 p.m. ET. The president's town hall is scheduled for the same time, but on NBC News.