President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will participate in the first 2024 presidential debate.
CNN reports that both candidates have accepted the network’s invitation and agreed to the debate’s rules and format.
WHEN AND WHERE THE DEBATE WILL AIR
It will be broadcast live on CNN from Atlanta, Georgia.
The debate starts at 9:00 PM EST (1:00 AM GMT) on Thursday, June 27.
(9:00 PM EDT)
The event will also be shown on CNN International, CNN en Español, CNN Max, and the CNN website.
THE RULES
Veteran CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the debate, which will last 90 minutes and include two commercial breaks.
On Thursday, the candidates flipped a coin to decide their podium positions and the order of their closing statements.
The Biden campaign chose tails, and the president will stand at the right podium, with Trump on the left.
However, Trump will deliver the final closing statement, as he chose for Biden to go first.
Both candidates will stand throughout the debate, and contrary to some reports, Biden did not request a seat.
Campaign staff are prohibited from interacting with the candidates during the event, including during breaks.
Each candidate will have a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water, but no props or pre-written notes are allowed on stage.
Unlike previous debates, the candidates’ microphones will be muted when it is not their turn to speak.
There will be no studio audience, and CNN aims to enforce timing and ensure a civilised discussion.
The second debate is scheduled for Sept. 10, to be hosted by David Muir on ABC.
