The first presidential debate of the 2024 election will see President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump going head-to-head on stage for the first time in four years.
It will be hosted by CNN at the network’s studios in Atlanta, Georgia, and moderated by anchors Dana Bash and Jake Tapper.
Biden won a coin flip last week and his campaign picked his standing position to be the right side podium, prioritizing that over speaking order. The Trump campaign then chose for the ex-president have the final word in the debate.
There will be no live audience in order ‘to ensure candidates may maximize the time allotted in the debate’, stated CNN.
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When is the first presidential debate?
The time of the presidential debate has been set for 9pm ET on Thursday.
A second presidential debate will be hosted by ABC and take place on September 10. The network has not said where it will be held or provided more details, other than it will be moderated by its anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis.
Where can I watch the presidential debate?
The first debate will air live on CNN and on CNN International, CNN Max and CNN en Español. A livestream will be able to be accessed without a login on CNN’s website.
CNN is also allowing the debate to be simulcast on several other networks including CBS.
Presidential debate schedule
The debate is slated to run for 90 minutes and there will be two commercial breaks.
Topics for the debate have not been disclosed. However, some possible issues include Trump’s hush money felony conviction, immigration and border security, abortion, and the felony gun conviction of president’s son Hunter Biden.
‘While no props or pre-written notes will be allowed on the stage, candidates will be given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water,’ CNN stated.
How have Trump and Biden prepared for the debate?
Biden appears to be taking the more traditional route in prepping for the debate.He reportedly flew to Camp David, a private retreat in the mountains of Maryland, with his top advisers.
He will focus on Trump’s previous remark that he intends to be a dictator on ‘day one’, his track record and comments on reproductive rights and immigration, advisers told ABC News.
Meanwhile, Trump has opted for a far less calculated route. He has campaigned much of the week and ridiculed Biden for going to Camp David, countering reports that ‘Crooked Joe’s gone to a log cabin gone to a log cabin to study, prepare,’ with his claim, ‘No, he didn’t. He’s sleeping now because they want to get him good and strong.’
Trump and his campaign have also suggested that Biden will be drugged up for the debate.
‘So a little before debate time, he gets a shot in the ass… He’ll come out all jacked up… Whatever happened to all that cocaine that was missing a month ago?’ Trump said.
In a press call previewing the debate on Tuesday, Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita said his camp has been careful regarding ‘too low’ expectations for Biden after his recent freezing and strange behavior.
‘You know, he’s probably going to be filled with Adderall,’ said LaCivita.
Who is favored to win the presidential debate?
Interest in the first presidential debate is considered high, with 50% of Americans planning to watch it, 30% not planning to and 21% not knowing, according to a Leger survey from June 22 to June 24 that was shared with the New York Post.
Trump is favored to win the debate with 42% of Americans believing he will, versus 29% predicting Biden will triumph, per the survey. Among Republicans, 83% think Trump will win compared to 60% of Democrats who think Biden will.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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