ATLANTA — Tonight is a historic moment: The first general election debate of the 2024 election season is here.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are set to take the debate stage in Atlanta at 6 p.m. Arizona time. Not only is this the first time a sitting president and a former president will faceoff in a debate, but it's the first time either candidate will take to the debate stage during this election cycle.
Here's everything you need to know to watch the historic show:
What time is the debate?
The debate will start at 6 p.m. Arizona time on Thursday June 27 and will be moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bush.
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Where can I watch the debate?
You can watch the debate on 12News, on the 12News+ app, or online at 12news.com. The debate is also broadcast on CNN, as well as on CNN International, CNN en Español and CNN Max. Viewers can also stream it without a log in on CNN's website.
After the debate, catch 12News' live analysis at 9 p.m.
Where is the debate happening live?
The debate will be live in Atlanta, at CNN's studios. But unlike the Republican primary debates, no audience will be present.
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Who is going to be at the debate?
Two candidates — Biden and Trump — will be on stage. For a time, it seemed like they wouldn't be meeting up at all.
Biden’s campaign had proposed excluding third-party candidates, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., from the debates outright. Under the debate commission’s rules, Kennedy or other third-party candidates could qualify if they secured ballot access sufficient to claim 270 Electoral Votes and polled at 15% or higher in a selection of national surveys.
Both CNN and ABC announced the same qualification threshold, saying candidates will need to reach at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters that meet their standards, between March 13 and a week ahead of Thursday’s match up. Last week, CNN announced that Kennedy hadn’t met those markers.
Trump didn’t take part in any of the GOP primary debates, so this is his first time on stage this cycle. Biden didn’t debate any of the Democrats challenging him, either.
Last month, Biden announced that he would not participate in fall presidential debates sponsored by the nonpartisan commission that has organized them for more than three decades. Instead, his campaign proposed that media outlets directly organize the debates between the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees.
Hours later, Biden said he had accepted an invitation from CNN, adding, “Over to you, Donald.” Trump, who had insisted he would debate Biden anytime and anyplace, said on Truth Social he’d be there, too, adding, “Let’s get ready to Rumble!!!” Soon after that, they agreed to a second debate.
When is the next debate?
ABC will host the second debate on Sept. 10. The network has not offered details on where its event would be held, only that it would be moderated by anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis.
And don't forget about the running mates. Trump hasn't named his yet, but Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation from CBS News to debate her eventual rival in studio on either July 23 or Aug. 13.
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