The United States is preparing for a significant event in the 2024 presidential election: the first televised debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. This debate is scheduled to take place tonight, Friday, in CNN's Atlanta studio. Notably, this confrontation follows the chaotic 2020 debate and will feature several new rules to ensure a more orderly exchange. The microphones will be turned off when each candidate's speaking time is over, a measure influenced by Trump's frequent interruptions in the past.
The debate will last for 90 minutes, beginning at 9:00 PM ET (4:00 AM Israel time). This marks the first time such a debate is being held so early in the election cycle, even before the official selection of candidates by their respective parties. The lack of an audience in the studio and the prohibition of teleprompters and pre-written notes are among the stringent measures in place. Candidates will only have paper and pens, and consultation with their campaign teams will not be allowed during commercial breaks.
Joe Biden has been preparing for this debate at Camp David, Maryland, with a team of sixteen advisors and experts, including former White House Secretary General Ron Klein. Biden's personal lawyer, Bob Bauer, has been simulating Trump's role in practice sessions. Meanwhile, Trump's team has indicated that he is also preparing through political discussions.
CNN has not disclosed the specific issues to be discussed during the debate, and there will be no real-time fact-checking of the candidates' statements. This has raised concerns, especially if Trump repeats his unfounded claims about the 2020 election being stolen. Despite this, the debate is expected to cover critical topics such as US immigration policy, economic policy, the war in Ukraine, and abortion rights. The health of both candidates, given their ages, might also be a topic of discussion.
The debate will be broadcast live by CNN in the United States, while viewers in Germany can watch it on the Phoenix channel or through a free live stream in the ARD media library. The interest in this debate extends beyond the US, with significant attention from international audiences, particularly in Germany, due to the global implications of the US election and Trump's polarizing figure.
- The early scheduling of this debate was unexpected, as the responsible commission had initially planned for a later date. However, CNN's announcement in mid-May set the stage for a June 27 debate, aligning with the Biden team's preferences. A second debate is scheduled for September 10, hosted by ABC.
- Both Biden and Trump have confirmed their participation in the debates via their respective social media platforms, with Biden using X and Trump using Truth Social. The anticipation for these debates is high, given the lack of serious competitors for either candidate within their parties.
- Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has weighed in on the pressures of debating Trump, noting the difficulty of focusing on content when faced with his unpredictable style. This adds another layer of complexity to the preparations for both Biden and Trump as they gear up for tonight's debate.
