In a historic showdown between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the presumptive major party nominees are set to meet for their first debate this election cycle on Thursday, as reported by CNN.
This debate marks the earliest such event in US history, breaking the tradition of starting televised presidential debates between general election candidates in September or early October. The first such debate dates back to 1960, featuring John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
The 90-minute debate will take place on Thursday, June 27, at 9 p.m. ET at the network’s Atlanta studios. CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the event.
The CNN Presidential Debate will be broadcast live on CNN, CNN International, and CNN en Español, as well as streamed on Max for subscribers and on CNN.com without a cable login. CNN will also make the debate available for simulcast on additional broadcast and cable news networks.
Viewers can follow CNN’s live debate coverage on CNN.com, which will include analysis and fact-checking. Only Biden and Trump will be participating in the debate, having met the requirements outlined in Article II, Section 1 of the US Constitution and filed a formal statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission.
As per CNN’s parameters set in May, debaters had to appear on a sufficient number of state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold and receive at least 15% in four separate national polls from recognized sources.
Biden and Trump have agreed to another debate hosted by ABC on September 10. The upcoming debate will feature two commercial breaks, with campaign staff prohibited from interacting with their candidate. The candidates will stand at a uniform podium, with microphones muted except for the speaking candidate. No props or pre-written notes will be allowed on stage, though candidates will be provided with a pen, pad of paper, and a bottle of water. There will be no studio audience present.
