The first face-off between incumbent president Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump will be hosted by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash in Atlanta on June 27. This will be their first confrontation in the last four years as they faced each other twice in 2020. But this time it will be different because of the guidelines that CNN set for the debate and both parties agreed.The debate will begin at 9 pm ET and CNN’s Atlanta studios.
Joe Biden vs Donald Trump: Here are the rules
Joe Biden vs Donald Trump: Here are the rules
- The candidates’ microphones will remain muted unless it’s their time to speak
- There will be no live studio audience to react to the debate — in a stark departure from the tradition. This is to ensure that the candidates may maximize the time allotted in the debate.
- Candidates will have two minutes to answer questions.
- Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion.
- The 90-minute debate will include two commercial breaks. Campaign staff may not interact with their candidate during that time.
- Both Biden and Trump will appear at a uniform platform. Their podium positions has been determined by a coin flip. The coin landed on the Biden side giving him two options : either choose podium position or the order of the closing statements. Biden’s side chose to select the right podium position. He will be on the right side of the viewers’ screen.
- Trump’s campaign chose the order of closing statements that he will speak last. Biden will give his concluding statement first.
- No props or pre-written notes will be allowed on the stage. Candidates will be given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water.
