Washington — The highly anticipated first presidential debate of the 2024 cycle between President Biden and former President Donald Trump is set to take place this week. The debate, scheduled for Thursday at 9 p.m. ET in CNN’s Atlanta studios, will be the first faceoff between a sitting president and a former president.
This debate will be a departure from the traditional matchups overseen by the Commission on Presidential Debates, as Biden opted out of participating due to concerns over rule enforcement during the 2020 debates. The format includes muted microphones, no opening statements, and limited campaign staff interaction.
What to expect in the debate
The 90-minute debate, moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, will feature two commercial breaks and focus on questions where candidates will have two minutes to respond. Biden’s camp has been preparing at Camp David, while Trump’s prep has been more informal with private meetings and public appearances.
Post-debate plans
Following the debate, Trump will return to Virginia for a campaign event, while Biden will head to North Carolina for a rally. Both candidates aim to highlight their visions for the future and contrast their records.
Qualification and conclusion
To qualify for the debate, candidates had to meet CNN’s criteria, resulting in a one-on-one matchup. The stakes are high as this debate precedes the nominating conventions, setting the stage for an intense political showdown.
Nancy Cordes, Robert Costa, and Aaron Navarro contributed to this report.