How to watch the presidential debate between Trump, Biden

(NewsNation) – President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are set to take the debate stage next week for the first presidential debate of 2024. The debate, hosted by CNN in Atlanta, marks the first time the duo has shared the stage since 2020.

The race between the two remains fierce with polls of Hill Headquarters/Decision Desk Wednesday showing Trump had a 0.6% lead over Biden. The close vote comes amid condemnations from Trump and Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. Both convictions are likely to be raised in the debate.

Trump was found guilty of 34 criminal counts of falsifying business records last month. Recent polls found that while only a small percentage of Republicans said they would be less likely to support Trump after his conviction, 21% of independents said they were less likely to vote for him.

Hunter Biden was found guilty of all three felony gun charges earlier this month. He faces up to 25 years in prison. The majority of voters said they were unfazed by the conviction, according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey.

The debate will be moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash and introduces a new set of rules to avoid some of the familiar animosity between Biden and Trump. Here’s everything you need to know about the first debate:

Where to watch the presidential debate

You can watch the CNN Presidential Debate live on NewsNation on June 27th. Join us on “It’s Debate Night with Chris Cuomo” at 8/7c for pre-debate analysis and join us after the debate for analysis. To find your channel, visit joinnn.com.

What time is the presidential debate?

CNN’s Presidential Debate will air at 9 pm ET on June 27. It will last 90 minutes and include two commercial breaks.

What are the rules of the presidential debate?

CNN confirmed that the Biden and Trump campaigns agreed to rules that had never been used in a debate before. Some of the rules include that there will be no hearing, no help from advisors, no notes and no interruptions.

To enforce the no interruptions rule, one candidate’s microphone will be muted while the other is speaking. Moderators “will use all the tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion,” according to CNN.

Previous debates between the two candidates have been criticized for the chaos of the two men talking, in one case prompting Biden to say “Will you shut up, man?”

The only items available on the podiums will be paper, pen and bottle of water. Which podium each man will be on will be determined by a coin toss. There will be no other accessories such as headphones. None of the candidates will be able to call advisors during commercial breaks.

Some Democratic strategists think the new rules could benefit Biden.

“I actually think this will benefit President Biden by giving him the opportunity to fully explain himself and take his comments off the mic without interruption from Donald Trump,” strategist Krystal Knight told “NewsNation Prime.”

Will RFK Jr. be at the debate?

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will likely not participate in the CNN Presidential Debate. To qualify for the debate, a candidate must appear at the polls in enough states to reach the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the presidential election.

The Kennedy campaign claimed to have enough signatures for ballot access in states with more than 270 electoral votes, but many states have not yet verified those signatures. Kennedy is currently on the ballot in only six states, making him eligible for 89 electoral votes.

“They are trying to exclude me from the debate because they are afraid I will win. Keeping viable candidates off the debate stage undermines democracy,” Kennedy wrote in X.

Participants must also receive at least 15% in four separate national surveys of registered or likely voters, according to CNN.

Kennedy filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging that Biden and Trump “conspired” to keep him out of this debate, Political reports. CNN said this claim is unfounded. `

What could Biden and Trump debate?

Topics such as problems at the border, the economy and Trump’s criminal conviction are expected to be highlighted throughout the debate. Biden’s campaign has tried to keep the economy and infrastructure at the center of his campaign, while Trump continues to vote ahead of Biden on border issues.

Voters on both sides of the aisle also expressed concern about the health of both men, as they are the two oldest major party candidates to run for presidential office. Trump turned 78 earlier this month and Biden is 81.

“The contrast between the strength and success of President Trump versus the weakness, failures and dishonesty of the corrupt Joe Biden will be made clear on the debate stage next week,” said Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. wrote on X.

Biden’s debate preparations will be led by Ron Klain, his first White House chief of staff. Klain played this same role in Biden’s 2020 presidential debates and his 2012 vice presidential debate.

When is the next presidential debate?

The next presidential debate will take place on September 10th, organized by ABC.

A vice-presidential debate could take place on July 23 or August 13. Biden’s campaign told CBS News that he has accepted an invitation to a debate on either of those dates, but Trump has not yet selected a running mate.