Why isn’t there a live audience at the Trump - Biden debate?

On Thursday, 27 June, CNN will host a debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the two presumptive nominees for the Democratic and Republican parties. The party conventions will take place later this summer, but with Biden and Trump essentially confirmed as the nominees, the race for the White House is getting underway a little earlier than usual.

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One main difference between the debates that will occur later this week and those traditionally held in the fall during presidential election years is that Thursdays will not have a live audience. The lack of an audience is one of a few changes made to the typical format. Others include stricter rules regarding the microphones. The candidates have agreed to have their microphones cut if they interpret their interlocutor.

READ MORE: What time is the debate Thursday? Trump vs Biden, how to watch on TV and stream online

The benefits of not having a live audience

The decision to eliminate a live audience was made to depoliticize the debate as much as possible. With audience members cheering after each candidate’s comments, the debate can become a popularity contest instead of a substantial discussion on each candidate’s policy positions and vision. Those who watched the 2020 debates will understand how quickly these events can go off the rails, and no one is looking for a repeat of the last time the two men faced off.

Who will moderate the debate?

The CNN hosts that will moderate Thursday’s debate are Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. Both cover domestic politics, including the 2020 debates between these same candidates. Tapper referred to the showing from both Trump and Biden in 2020 as “a hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck,” while Bash was more direct, describing the event as a “shitshow.”

READ MORE: Who are the moderators for the Trump - Biden debate?