At 1am GMT and 9 pm ET, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will participate in the first presidential debate of the 2024 US election, hosted by CNN.
This marks the first time either candidate has appeared on a debate stage since 2020. The event will also be simulcast on other networks, including CBS and CBS News 24/7 streaming.
The debate setup grants Trump the final word of the night, while Biden chose his preferred podium position. To ensure order, the candidates’ microphones will be muted except during their allocated speaking times.
Notably absent from the debate are all non-major party candidates, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy did not meet CNN’s criteria, which required candidates to secure at least 15% support in four approved national polls and be on enough state ballots to win 270 Electoral College votes. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns reportedly preferred to keep Kennedy off the stage, fearing his independent candidacy could siphon votes in critical battleground states. Kennedy plans to host his own online “debate” concurrently.
For viewers, the debate will air live on CNN and will be simulcast on networks like CBS. It can also be streamed online at CNN.com, CBS News 24/7, and CBSNews.com. The 90-minute event includes two commercial breaks and will feature the Democratic incumbent, Biden, against his Republican challenger, Trump.
This debate is a significant moment in the 2024 election cycle, providing the first direct comparison between Biden and Trump as they vie for the presidency.
Story By: Zenas Fiagbe | Sources: CNN, CBS News