President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to participate in debates hosted by CNN and ABC in June and September, setting the stage for their historic rematch in the 2024 election cycle. Trump has also proposed additional debates on NBC and Fox News, which Biden has not yet accepted. The first debate will be held on June 27 at CNN’s Atlanta studios, with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash as hosts. The second debate will take place on Sept. 10 on ABC, moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis.
Trump’s campaign has suggested hosting two more debates in July and August, in addition to one on Oct. 2 on Fox News. Trump has also expressed willingness to debate Biden on NBC and Telemundo to engage with the Hispanic community, but NBC has not confirmed the offer. Biden’s campaign has rebuffed the proposal for a debate on Fox, citing concerns about unfair debates during the 2020 Democratic primary without the network’s involvement.
The decision to engage in debates comes after months of prodding from Trump and public statements from Biden indicating his willingness to participate. Biden has opted to avoid debates hosted by the Commission on Presidential Debates, citing concerns about rule enforcement and scheduling. The Biden campaign has outlined specific rules for the debates, including firm time limits for answers and alternate turns to speak, as well as muted microphones when it is not a candidate’s turn to speak.
Candidates must meet specific qualifications to participate in the debates, including achieving at least 15% support in national polls and appearing on enough state ballots to secure the necessary electoral votes. Independent candidates such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West have consistently polled below the threshold, making their participation unlikely. Trump has accused the Biden campaign of intentionally excluding Kennedy from the debates due to his sharp intelligence and left-leaning views.
In addition to the presidential debates, CBS has invited Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump’s running mate to participate in a vice presidential debate. Trump is expected to announce his running mate closer to the Republican National Convention in July, with a proposed date of July 23 or Aug. 13 for the debate. The upcoming debates will be crucial in shaping the narrative of the 2024 election cycle and providing voters with a clearer understanding of the candidates’ positions on key issues.
