WASHINGTON – The first U.S. presidential debate between incumbent Joe Biden and Republican challenger Donald Trump on June 27 will have two commercial breaks, no props and microphones will be muted except when called to speak, CNN announced Saturday. The candidates agreed in May to face off in two debates, one this month in Atlanta moderated by CNN hosts Jake Tapper and Dana Bash and the other on Sept. 10 by ABC.
CNN reported Saturday that both candidates will sit at a unified podium during the 90-minute debate, with the podium location determined by a coin toss and the candidates given pens, notepads and water bottles but no props allowed.
CNN reported that “during the debate, microphones will be muted for all candidates except those speaking.”
CNN, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, said its hosts would “take every step to ensure punctuality and civil discussion.”
Campaign staff will not be able to interact with the candidates during the two commercial breaks, and there will be no audience in the studio.
Eligible candidates must appear on the ballot in enough states to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold needed to win and receive at least 15 percent support in four separate national polls, according to CNN. CNN said it was “not impossible” for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., running as an independent, to qualify, noting that he has received at least 15 percent support in three qualification polls so far, making him eligible to vote in six states and thus qualify for his 89 electoral votes.
The debate, which will draw tens of millions of U.S. television viewers, is fraught with risk for both candidates as they battle it out. Campaign notes seen by Reuters show Biden is prioritizing three themes for the debate: abortion rights, the state of democracy and the economy.
Trump has refused to debate his rivals in the Republican nomination race, and his campaign has cited immigration, public safety and inflation as key issues ahead of the debate.
