The first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump is set to take place on June 27 in Atlanta, as announced by CNN. Both campaigns have agreed to the debate rules, which include features like deactivable microphones and the absence of an audience—measures intended to ensure a civilized exchange. Moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, the 90-minute debate will be interrupted by two ad breaks, during which campaign staff will not be able to interact with the candidates.
Candidates will be positioned at identical podiums, with their placement determined by a coin toss. The microphones will remain muted except for the candidate who is speaking at any given time. No props or pre-written notes will be allowed, though each participant will have access to a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water. The intention behind these measures is to create a fair and controlled environment for the debate.
To qualify for the CNN debate, candidates must meet criteria such as being on a sufficient number of state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold necessary to win the presidency. They must also have at least 15% support in four separate national polls conducted by recognized polling organizations like CNN, ABC News, and The Washington Post. At this point, it appears unlikely that any candidates other than Biden and Trump will meet these strict criteria, though Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a notable exception who has shown promising poll numbers.
This first debate precedes a second scheduled for September 10, which will be hosted by ABC. Biden and Trump's readiness for multiple debates highlights the high stakes of the 2024 election. The unique debate rules, such as mutable microphones, are anticipated to minimize interruptions and ensure that each candidate can fully articulate their policy positions and responses without undue disruption.
In their preparations and rhetoric leading up to the debate, both Biden and Trump have expressed eagerness to engage with each other on the debate stage. Biden, in particular, has made several statements challenging Trump, which Trump has readily accepted, signaling a contentious and highly anticipated face-off. The absence of an audience and stringent debate rules are expected to focus the event strictly on the candidates' verbal exchanges, thereby illuminating their policy distinctions and leadership capabilities.
- The debates will be a significant moment leading into the November 5 presidential election, giving voters a clearer picture of each candidate's stance on crucial issues. With mutable microphones and the absence of a live audience, the aim is to maintain decorum and ensure that each candidate gets an unbiased opportunity to make their case to the American public.
- Joe Biden and Donald Trump's participation in these debates marks a pivotal moment in the 2024 election cycle. The stringent criteria set by CNN, including the necessity for candidates to be on a sufficient number of state ballots and to achieve a threshold of 15% in national polls, reflects the high standards for political credibility and support ahead of such a critical election event.
