The one and only vice presidential debate of the 2024 election airs Tuesday evening, with a Midwest battle brewing. Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will contend with Republican Ohio Senator and Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance at the CBS News-hosted debate.
The 90-minute debate, taking place at New York City’s CBS Broadcast Center, begins at 9 p.m. ET, with two four-minute breaks. CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell will moderate, along with Face the Nation host and chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan.
Viewers can also stream anywhere CBS News 24/7 is available, including Paramount+ and YouTube. Debate coverage on CBS News 24/7 begins at 4 p.m. ET, yes, five hours before the debate begins. Additionally, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, Fox News, and ABC News will air the VP debate on their cable channels and streaming is available via their websites, apps, and sister networks like Peacock (NBC) and Hulu (ABC).
Like the presidential matchup three weeks ago, there will be no audience at the VP debate. Also similar to the Harris/Trump affair, Walz and Vance will be denied pre-written notes and will be standing at podiums — a marked change from the seats and tables featured in VP debates since 2008.
What sets this debate apart from the Trump/Harris precursor is that there will be no live fact-checking of the candidates by O’Donnell or Brennan. CBS News recently informed the Associated Press that it “will be up to the politicians — not the moderators — to check the facts of their opponents.” During the ABC News-hosted presidential candidate debate on Sept. 10, journalists David Muir and Linsey Davis were able to rebut lies, mostly from Trump, including his false claim that Haitian immigrants were eating Americans’ pets. While not perfect, the ABC debate was given high marks for professionalism and a lack of chaos that usually surrounds Trump-related events.
Fact-checking will be available to debate viewers watching via CBSNews.com, where 20 journalists will correct lies and exaggerations in real time; those watching live on CBS will have the option of scanning a QR code directing them to the website. The passive fact-checking is not everyone’s favorite, as it could allow some misinformation to devolve into a he said/he said situation. Also, many viewers may be watching via cable and likely have no interest in running up to their TV screen and scanning a code on their smartphone.
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