The network released a new set of rules for the event scheduled for June 27.
President Biden and former President Trump are gearing up for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election. On Sunday, CNN announced that the two candidates have officially agreed to new rules for the face-off, including one update that’ll hopefully eliminate interruptions.
The network, which is hosting the broadcast on June 27, has made a firm commitment to maintaining a respectful and productive discussion. In a statement, CNN declared that moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will “use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion.”
Even with these protocols, the showdown between these two rivals is expected to be brutal. Biden has called his predecessor the biggest threat to democracy, while Trump has criticized Biden as “the worst president in the history of the United States of America.” Plus, the last time the pair debated in 2020, it was chaotic — the former president kept interrupting, and at one point, Biden snapped, “Will you shut up, man?”
This time around, CNN is putting measures in place to ensure that the debate doesn’t go off the rails — here is what viewers can expect and more info on how to watch the match-up.
What are the new rules for the presidential debate?
In a break from tradition, CNN is organizing the debate directly instead of the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the network has introduced significant changes to the standard debate format. (So far, the candidates have agreed to two debates, with the second one hosted by ABC on September 10.)
Both men will stand at a uniform podium, and a coin flip will determine their positions on the stage. The only items they can have are a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water. This means neither candidate can bring props or pre-written notes, ensuring a more spontaneous and unscripted back-and-forth.
Once the 90-minute broadcast begins, Biden and Trump won’t have opening statements, though they will each be able to make two-minute closing statements. Red lights will flash when they have five seconds left and turn solid red when time has expired. Each candidate’s microphone will be muted when it is not his turn to speak to prevent any potential interruptions.
While the two men will get a breather during the scheduled two commercial breaks, they won’t be allowed to interact with their campaign staff during that time. And unlike debates in the past, there won’t be a studio audience.
How to watch the CNN debate
The first presidential will air live at 9 p.m. ET on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, and CNN Max and will be available to stream without a cable login on CNN.com.
While no official announcements have been made, several rival networks are also expected to carry the debate. However, some strings will be attached. For instance, CNN requires that its on-screen logo appear throughout the simulcast and that other outlets refer to the event as the “CNN Presidential Debate.”
The number of people tuning in to presidential debates has waned in recent years. The last showdown between Biden and Trump garnered 73 million viewers, significantly dropping from a record 84 million viewers in 2016. This downturn has been largely attributed to the rise of streaming, a trend we’re continuing to see today amid ongoing shakeups in the TV landscape.
But this broadcast, which remains one of the last remaining mass audience experiences, could give both candidates a chance to appeal to undecided voters in what’s expected to be another hotly contested election.
Of course, the candidates are prepping for their prime-time moment in their own ways. While Trump is using his rallies to prepare, Biden is leaning on his team to get him ready. “The goal is no surprises,” former White House official Kate Bedingfield told The New York Times. “In some ways, you have to be prepared for the unimaginable.”
