The first presidential debate of the 2024 election season is just around the corner, and anticipation is running high. As Joe Biden and Donald Trump prepare to face off, the issues that will define the race for the presidency are evolving rapidly. While the two candidates have clashed before—remember Biden’s heated exchange?—it remains to be seen how Trump’s recent legal challenges will impact his performance. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Biden vs. Trump debate.
The first presidential debate of the 2024 election season will take place on Thursday, June 27th, starting at 9 p.m. EST. The event will be held at CNN’s Techwood campus in Atlanta, Georgia, and broadcast live on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, and CNN Max. Viewers can also stream the debate on CNN.com.
CNN anchors Dana Bash and Jake Tapper will serve as moderators for the debate. While Tapper has moderated several debates in the past, including the final Democratic debate in 2020 between Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Bash has moderated two presidential primary debates during the 2020 election and six presidential primary debates during the 2016 election.
In a surprising turn of events, both Trump and Biden have agreed to forgo props and prewritten remarks, as well as abstain from speaking when it’s not their turn. The Biden campaign secured the right-side podium position through a coin toss on Thursday, granting Trump the final closing statement of the 90-minute debate. Additionally, in a significant departure from previous years, the debate will be held without a studio audience.
The debate is expected to delve into a range of critical issues, with topics like the economy, immigration, and the candidates’ fitness for office almost certain to be addressed. The Biden campaign has focused on highlighting the president’s record on issues related to democracy and the rule of law, while Trump’s team has reportedly been preparing responses on issues such as immigration and the state of the economy. With both candidates facing questions about their age and ability to serve, these topics are also likely to come up during the debate.
The second presidential debate of the 2024 election is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10th. This event will provide another opportunity for voters to compare the candidates’ positions and gauge their performance on the national stage.
