Both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump agreed to a set of rules regarding your next debate on CNNincluding allowing their microphones to be muted except when it is their turn to speak, the network said Saturday.
The event, scheduled for June 27 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, will be the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle.
CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate from the network’s studios in Atlanta, Georgia.
The event will mark a departure from previous debates due to the lack of studio audience; It is also the first time since the 1980s that the Commission on Presidential Debates will not be the host.
Although their podiums will be the same, the coin toss will determine where Trump and Biden will end up.
Two commercial breaks will punctuate the 90-minute discussion between the Republican and Democrat, but campaign staffers are not allowed to interact with their candidate during those breaks. Each candidate will receive a bottle of water, a pad of paper and a pen – no pre-written notes or props will be permitted.
According to CNN, Tapper and Bash “will use every tool at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civil discussion.”
To qualify for the debate, candidates need to secure at least 15% support in four separate national polls that meet CNN’s standards. The network noted that while it was still technically possible for independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to qualify, that is unlikely to happen, especially considering the number of votes in the states where he is expected to appear.
Over the past two presidential election cycles, Trump has repeatedly refused to keep his responses to questions directed at him contained. His chaotic style appeared to encourage his Republican opponents to adopt similar techniques in Republican debates. held last falleven in Trump’s absence.
Biden famously protested Trump’s interruptions in the September 2020 presidential debate, saying: “Can you shut up, man?”
Muting candidates’ microphones will help viewers follow along (although we assume a muted candidate could still shout while the other is speaking).
