June 27, 2024 at 4pm ET
June 27, 2024 at 4pm ET
CNN hosts will be asking questions of President Biden and President Donald Trump during Thursday night's debate, but our opinion writers have some suggestions of their own.
Editorial Board Member Binyamin Appelbaum:
As president, what steps would you take to increase housing production in the United States?
Charles Blow, Opinion Columnist:
Mr. Trump, how does your policy on the Gaza war differ from President Biden's?
Michelle Cottle, Opinion Writer:
What would you both say to the large group of voters who aren't enthusiastic about their choice in this election and are looking for fresh blood and something/someone different?
Ross Douthat, Opinion Columnist:
In recent years, declining birth rates have accelerated across the developed world. This is bad news for economic prosperity and a national security challenge. If current trends continue, the population of a close U.S. ally like South Korea could be halved by the second half of the 21st century. How should the U.S. government respond to this growing demographic challenge?
Maureen Dowd, Opinion Columnist:
Mr. Trump, you have been reported as saying that Mike Pence should be hanged for his actions on January 6th. Do you still believe that?
Mr. Biden, women's rights are being stripped away, you're fighting felons and not making up for it, doesn't this undermine your claim that you are the best Democrat to beat Trump?
Thomas L. Friedman, Opinion Columnist:
What's the biggest mistake you made during your four years as president? If you're re-elected, what would you never make again?
What will you do to win, unite the country, and convince those who did not vote for you that they need not fear your presidency?
Patrick Healy, Deputy Opinion Editor:
Do you think inflation is getting better or worse for Americans?
What's something young American voters might not know about you but should know?
You both have been called fascists by some voters. What do you think about that term, and do you consider your opponent a fascist?
Paul Krugman, Opinion Columnist:
Mr. Trump, why was your prediction that the stock market would crash if Biden won so wrong?
Nicholas Kristof, Opinion Columnist:
One of the worst things that could happen to the next administration would be a war with China. So how do you strike that delicate balance between deterring China without provoking it? If China blockades Taiwan, would you order the U.S. Navy to lift the blockade?
If China continues to pressure the Philippines in the South China Sea, will we send ships to support the Philippines and confront China? And if we find ourselves on the verge of losing a conventional war with China, will we reach for our nuclear weapons?
Pamela Paul, Opinion Columnist:
What would you both like to say to Newtown High School graduating students about your gun control plans?
Farah Stockman, Editorial Committee Member:
More than two years have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine, putting its entire economy on war footing. With Republicans long blocking aid to Ukraine, due to Trump's opposition, things seem to be turning against them. How would you end the war in a satisfactory way?
Zeynep Tufekci, Opinion Columnist:
Mr. Trump, you continue to deny the results of the 2020 election. If you refuse to respect the will of the people, the foundation of our democracy, how can the American people trust that you will not abuse the enormous power of the presidency for your own personal gain?
President Biden, you were elected on a promise to do a better job than President Trump of responding to the coronavirus pandemic that began in China, yet your administration appears to be falling woefully short in preventing a new pandemic from emerging in the United States. The dangerous H5N1 avian influenza virus that originated in U.S. dairy cows is now spreading to humans. How can you reassure the American people in this situation?
