President Joe Biden challenged former President Donald Trump to the first debate of the 2024 presidential election cycle, which Trump accepted. However, the terms set by the Biden campaign include no live audience and muted microphones for the candidates after their allotted time. Both candidates exchanged jabs, with Biden referencing Trump’s criminal trial and Trump calling Biden the “worst debater” he has faced. The debate is scheduled for June 27 at CNN’s studio in Atlanta, with a second debate hosted by ABC News on September 10. Trump also joked about demanding a drug test for Biden, although there is no evidence to suggest Biden has used drugs before.
Republican strategist and MSNBC political analyst Susan Del Percio praised Biden for setting the terms of the debates, stating that he “really got the best of Donald Trump.” The key factors mentioned were the absence of a live audience and the limits on candidates’ microphones, which can be turned off if they go over time. Trump had previously suggested drug testing before debates in 2020, but neither candidate took drug tests before the last cycle’s debates. The upcoming debates will be co-moderated by journalists from CNN and ABC News.
The debates between Biden and Trump come at a time when the presidential race is extremely close, with Trump leading Biden by one percentage point in the latest national poll aggregation by FiveThirtyEight. Del Percio criticized Trump for working in chaos and being unable to deal with facts or policies. Despite Trump’s claims about Biden’s debate performances, Biden’s 2020 campaign manager refuted the drug testing demands and highlighted Trump’s failures in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. The upcoming debates are set to be contentious and highly anticipated as the two candidates face off once again.
The June debate is expected to be a significant event as Biden and Trump spar on various issues and present their visions for the country’s future. With the stakes high and the race close, both candidates will be looking to make their case to the American people. The absence of a live audience and the restrictions on candidates’ microphones add a new dynamic to the debates, potentially shaping how the candidates interact and present their arguments. As the campaign progresses, all eyes will be on the debates as a crucial moment in the presidential race, with both candidates aiming to make a strong impression on voters.
