POLITICS
Trump vs Biden: how many presidential debates will there be before the elections?
The first debate between the two presidential candidates coming up very soon and it won’t be the only time they get to face off.
Trump and Biden are set to face off in at least two presidential debates before the 2024 election on 5 November. The first debate is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, at 9:00 PM EST in Atlanta, Georgia, hosted by CNN.
This marks an unusually early start to the presidential debate season, with the event being the earliest televised US general election debate since 1960.
The second confirmed debate is slated for 10 September, to be hosted by ABC News. These two debates represent a departure from the traditional debate schedule organised by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), which both candidates have opted out of this election cycle.
The debates will follow a new set of rules agreed upon by both campaigns. Some key features include:
- No live studio audience
- Microphones will be muted when it’s not a candidate’s turn to speak
- 90-minute duration with two commercial breaks
- Candidates will stand at podiums, with positions determined by a coin toss
- No props or pre-written notes allowed on stage
CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the first debate. The event will be broadcast on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, CNN Max, and the CNN website.
How candidates qualify for the debates
- Be Constitutionally eligible to hold the presidential office
- File a formal statement of candidacy to the Federal Election Commission
- Have their name appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold to win the presidency
- Agree to accept the rules and format of the debate
- Receive at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters that meet CNN’s standards for reporting
The debates are expected to cover a wide range of topics, including the economy, immigration, foreign policy, and recent legal issues involving both candidates. Biden’s age and potential second-term candidacy, as well as Trump’s critiques of Biden’s mental acuity, are likely to be discussed.