In the first debate since the candidates ditched the Commission on Presidential Debates, both men will try to redefine public perceptions.
Only 11 states have hosted a Presidential debate and tonight, Georgia becomes number 12.
At 9:00 PM ET tonight, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump go head-to-head in a 90-minute debate hosted at CNN Studios in downtown Atlanta. CNN hosts Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate under a unique set of rules specially negotiated by both campaigns.
Both candidates bypassed the traditional debate structure hosted by the Commission on Presidential Debates and opted for a set of unique rules including the power of moderators to mute microphones and the lack of a studio audience. CNN will livestream the feed to their website as well for those who do not have cable to network television.
While the event is hosted by CNN, other cable and network news channels will be allowed to simulcast the debate.
Americans are very familiar with both men, but today offers an opportunity for the candidates to redefine public assumptions about them. This also offers Tapper and Bash an opportunity to correct what they describe as the “hot mess” from the 2020 Presidential debates.
The second and final debate will be hosted by ABC News and is scheduled for September 10. A Vice Presidential Debate will happen either July 23 or August 23, subject to final negotiation once Trump names a running mate.
