President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are set to face off in their first presidential debate of the 2024 election season on Thursday, June 27, 2024. This highly anticipated event will be broadcast live from CNN’s studios in Atlanta, Georgia, starting at 9 PM ET. The debate will be moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, marking a pivotal moment in the 2024 campaign.
The debate will be aired on CNN and simultaneously streamed on multiple platforms, including CNN International, CNN en Español, CNN Max, and on various streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and DIRECTV STREAM. ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and MSNBC will also simulcast the debate, ensuring widespread accessibility for viewers across the nation.
This debate comes as a crucial opportunity for both candidates to present their policies and directly address the electorate. Given the unique circumstances of this debate, no live audience will be present, a decision aimed at maintaining order and allowing for uninterrupted discourse. The candidates’ microphones will be muted after their allotted speaking time to ensure a fair and controlled exchange of ideas.
This event marks the first direct confrontation between Biden and Trump since the 2020 election. Both candidates, among the oldest in presidential history, will attempt to sway voters by laying out their vision for the future of the United States. The absence of a live audience is expected to change the dynamic of the debate, focusing attention entirely on the candidates’ responses and the moderators’ questions.
In addition to the June 27 debate, a second debate has been scheduled for September 10, 2024, on ABC. This debate will also feature no audience and microphone cutoff rules to ensure orderly discussion. Further debates are tentatively planned, including a potential October debate on Fox News and another on NBC and Telemundo, though these dates have not yet been confirmed.
The 2024 debates come at a time of heightened political tension and public interest. President Biden, seeking re-election, will defend his administration’s achievements and outline his plans for a second term. Meanwhile, former President Trump, aiming to reclaim the White House, will challenge Biden’s record and present his own proposals for the country’s future.
CNN has taken significant steps to ensure the debate runs smoothly and efficiently. The format and rules are designed to facilitate a substantive discussion of the issues facing the nation. Viewers can expect a rigorous and closely monitored debate, with the moderators playing a crucial role in guiding the discourse and maintaining the structure.
For those planning to watch the debate, several options are available. Traditional cable and satellite services such as Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, and DIRECTV will carry the live broadcast. Streaming services including CNN.com, MSNBC on Peacock, ABC News Live, and CBS News 24/7 will also provide live coverage. Additionally, over-the-air digital antennas can be used to access the debate on local broadcast channels.
This debate is expected to attract a significant viewership, given the high stakes of the 2024 election and the prominence of the candidates involved. It provides an essential platform for both Biden and Trump to communicate directly with the American people and make their case for why they should be elected President.
As the date approaches, political analysts and commentators are gearing up for what promises to be a memorable and potentially decisive moment in the 2024 presidential race.