The second US presidential debate between incumbent President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden will not proceed.
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) made the announcement in a statement on Saturday (NZ time).
On Thursday, the commission had floated the idea of conducting the debate online after Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19 last week.
However, the US President refused to take part.
"I'm not gonna waste my time on a virtual debate, that's not what debating is about, you sit behind a computer and do a debate - it's ridiculous," he said.
"They cut you off whenever they want…"
The commission said after reviewing the stances of Trump and Biden they decided it needed to be cancelled, adding that both campaigns had announced "alternate plans for that date".
"It is now apparent there will be no debate on October 15, and the CPD will turn its attention to preparations for the final presidential debate scheduled for October 22."
The third debate is set to take place at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee with Kristen Welker of NBC News as the moderator.
"Both candidates have agreed to participate in the October 22 debate," the commission confirmed.
The news comes after controversy surrounding Trump's diagnosis of COVID-19.
The US President was taken to Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland on October 3 where he was treated with a number of different drugs, including an experimental antibody cocktail, a steroid called dexamethasone and antiviral drug Remdesivir.
He then decided to visit his fans outside on Monday, taking part in a drive-by which experts slammed for putting the secret service agents sharing the vehicle with him at risk.
There were even reports of concerns from his son Donald Trump Jr.
The US President returned to the White House on Tuesday, tweeting to Americans: "Don't be afraid of Covid. Don't let it dominate your life."
Reuters/ Newshub
