Four years after clashing in a raucous debate, President Biden and former President Trump are once again set to face off on national television, with CNN veteran anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash moderating Thursday evening.
(NEXSTAR) – Four years after clashing in a raucous debate, President Biden and former President Trump are once again set to face off on national television, with CNN veteran anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash moderating Thursday evening.
The debate will start at 9 p.m. ET inside a CNN studio in Atlanta and last for 90 minutes. The broadcast will stream live in the player below.
Unlike the 2020 debate in Cleveland, when a barrage of interruptions left former Fox News host Chris Wallace fighting to keep control, there will be new rules – many insisted on by Biden's team – for this year's debate.
The Trump campaign has agreed to the stipulations, which include muted microphones when it's the other person's chance to speak, no studio audience, no props or prewritten notes and no opening statements, among others.
While polls show the majority of adults aren't excited about either candidate, it appears that the debate could draw broad interest.
Six in 10 said they were either "extremely" or "very" likely to tune in, whether by watching the entire debate, viewing clips or following news about it, according to an Associated Press/National Opinion Research Center poll.
“I think it’s super important,” said Victoria Perdomo, a 44-year-old stay-at-home mom and a Trump supporter in Coral Springs, Florida. “It shows America what you’re going to see for the next four years.”
Absent on the debate stage Thursday will be independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who will counter program by answering debate questions live on his own website.
CNN deemed Kennedy ineligible after failing to meet polling and ballot qualification benchmarks.
With rules and technology in place to prevent outbursts, interruptions and other distractions, there may be increased focus on the messages delivered by Biden, 81, and Trump, 78.
Biden's seemingly low bar for success has been created, at least in part, by Trump and his Republican allies, who have relentlessly mocked the Democratic president for apparent stumbles connected to his age for years. Trump's allies have questioned whether Biden can even stay awake and stand up for the entire 90 minutes — even as Trump has had his own flubs in his speeches at rallies. Trump defended himself Saturday about a moment during the Republican primary when he apparently confused former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He told a crowd Saturday that liberals had misconstrued what he called a moment of “pure genius.”
Democrats are hopeful that Biden can bring the same energy he did in his State of the Union address earlier in the year. But a face-off on live television against an opponent who delights in verbal combat is very different from a scripted speech before Congress.
Biden's team is aware that he cannot afford to have a bad night with the nation watching.
Trump, who already has a solid base of voters, will have the chance to win over swing voters and moderates. After being widely criticized for his attempts to disrupt and steamroll Biden during their first debate in 2020, it remains to be seen whether or not he can keep his cool Thursday.
While the debate in Atlanta will feature the same candidates who squared off in Cleveland and later in Nashville, a lot has changed since 2020.
President Trump has since been convicted of 34 felony counts in connection with the Stormy Daniels hush money trial, and now awaits a Supreme Court decision on his claims of immunity from prosecution.
The former president's legal issues are expected to be a point of discussion, and if the court ruling comes down before the debate it could substantially change talking points on both sides.
“If there’s a decision before then, whoever that decision favors is going to be wanting to draw attention to it,” Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute at Syracuse University told The Hill. “I would definitely expect that to get worked into the conversation or even the moderators to pose a question on it.”
If the court doesn't announce an opinion on Thursday, it could come on the final opinion day of the week, Friday.
A second debate between Trump and Biden is already scheduled for Sept. 10, and will be hosted by ABC.
Rumors have swirled for months about Trump's upcoming selection of running mates, a decision he could make before – or during – the Republican National Convention in July.
The vice presidential debate between Kamala Harris and her yet-unnamed Republican opponent is set to happen either July 23, Aug. 13 or after both party conventions, according to The Hill.
Another important calendar date for Trump is July 11, when he will appear for sentencing after a jury convicted him on dozens of felony counts of falsification of business records.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
