This year's first debate showdown between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will run without breaks — which means no chance of cutting away if Clinton experiences a coughing fit like those she has suffered several times on the campaign trail, the Drudge Report says.

"There are no commercial breaks. Period," Drudge quotes an unnamed debate commission source as saying.

Under the rules, Lester Holt, who will moderate the 90-minute debate, has no authority to cut away from the stage, Drudge says, adding that no manipulation of either candidate's audio will be permitted.

Clinton had a number of significant coughing fits prior to the revelation that she was suffering from pneumonia. Her cough became a trending topic on Twitter under the hashtag #HackingHillary.