What time is the debate Thursday? Trump vs Biden, how to watch on TV and stream online
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in their first debate this week since they last contested the White House in 2020.
The last time President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump met face-to-face on a debate stage was on 22 October 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. That year the two candidates for the White House were supposed to spar three times on national television before America voters went to the ballot box but ended up being only two due to Trump contracting covid-19.
This year there are only two debates scheduled so far, with the first coming this week on Thursday 27 June at 9 pm. It will be sponsored by CNN and held at the network’s Atlanta studio headquarters, but CNN is allowing other networks to broadcast a free simulcast.
Watch Trump vs Biden debate live stream on FuboTV (free trial available)
How to watch the Biden-Trump debate on 27 June 2024
The nearly two-thirds of Americans planning to catch the first 2024 presidential debate on Thursday 27 June will be able to watch it just about anywhere that they normally tune their TV dial. Not only will CNN air the debate on its main network, CNN International and CNN en Español, but all the national and cable networks are planning on broadcasting the simulcast from CNN.
Those who want to stream the debate can do so on CNN.com without having to log in or subscribe. You can also live stream on Max or at NPR.org which is streaming the debate as a public service.
Several networks plan to begin their coverage prior to the start of the debate as well as providing post-debate commentary.
What are the rules of the debate
The debate will run for 90 minutes with two commercial breaks. CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the event. The moderators “will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion,” the network said.
New rules are in place for this time around in an attempt to avoid the raucous affair that defined the first 2020 presidential debate. There will be no live studio audience and unless it’s a candidate’s turn to speak their microphones will be turned off.
There will be no props allowed nor prewritten notes. Biden and Trump will only have paper, a pen and water provided to them at the podiums. They will not be able to consult with their debate teams at any time during the debate, not even during the commercial breaks.
President Biden won the coin-toss and decided to stand at the lectern on the right-side of the stage as he did four years ago. Trump will get the final word when he delivers his closing statement after Biden does.
The next debate is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 10 September 2024. The second faceoff between the two candidates will be sponsored by ABC which hasn’t yet announced the time or venue.
Watch Trump vs Biden debate live stream on FuboTV (free trial available)