Next Thursday, the current and former presidents of the United States will engage in an unprecedented televised debate. With both candidates neck and neck in national opinion polls, their first debate has become increasingly crucial.
For the candidates who have been exchanging verbal attacks from afar over the past four years, the live debate hosted by CNN in Atlanta is a pivotal moment. Campaign officials on both sides are gathering with their teams to strategize on attacking and rebutting each other’s arguments, as well as clearly expressing their positions and beliefs to the voters for the November election.
The 90-minute debate will be broadcast on CNN next Thursday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Here are the highlights of the first presidential debate of the 2024 election based on reports from CNN, Reuters, and other media outlets:
To prepare, Biden will convene trusted aides this week and next at Camp David in Maryland for several days of intensive discussions and preparations.
The secluded complex in Maryland consists of simple cottages that have helped Biden and his team focus before major events like the State of the Union address.
Preparations will continue for several days, starting from informal discussions on topics, questions, and possible responses, leading to a formal 90-minute simulated debate.
According to a source quoted by CNN, while the “Trump-style” remarks list is still being finalized, one point that is certain to be mentioned is Trump’s remarks in December 2023 regarding the border and illegal immigration issues.
In recent weeks, Trump has been engaged in informal discussions with his advisors, including his vice-presidential pick, senators, policy experts, and others.
Topics discussed in the meetings include how to strengthen his messaging on the economy, border, and crime issues, his views on abortion, the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine, as well as how best to address his conviction on 34 counts of business fraud on May 30. So far, there is no plan for Trump to engage in a mock debate.
Trump has been criticized for mixing exaggerated and false information in his speeches, while Biden is known for often telling exaggerated stories in his campaign speeches.
Experts say that time is limited in debates, so it is crucial for both candidates to handle each other’s “false and exaggerated” information effectively while clearly expressing their own views. Many news organizations will also assess the truthfulness of the candidates’ statements.
Biden is likely to capitalize on Trump’s recent conviction in New York, but Trump may counter by accusing the Democratic Party of politically persecuting him.
In recent weeks, Biden’s campaign team has launched a $50 million advertising campaign emphasizing Trump’s guilt, indicating that they see it as a winning point.
Biden has been working to assure voters of an improved economy for months, but the results have been mixed. Polls from Reuters/Ipsos show that voters believe Trump is better at handling economic issues than Biden.
With less than five months until the November 5 election, the 81-year-old current President Biden and the 78-year-old former President Trump may face questions about their suitability for the presidency, something that previous presidential candidates have not encountered.
As they seek re-election, Biden’s mental and physical health have been closely scrutinized and speculated upon. Critics claim he is slowing down and has made verbal slips multiple times, while supporters maintain he remains sharp as ever.
Trump has stated that Biden is unfit mentally and physically to be president, while Biden has called his predecessor “mentally deranged,” a threat to democratic norms.
Most voters, including Democrats, are also considering the age of the presidents. Many viewers next Thursday will be watching for any signs that Biden or Trump may not be up for the job.
While Trump does not face questions about his physical and mental abilities, he often goes off-topic in his speeches and has occasionally mistaken Biden for former President Obama.
Unlike past presidential debates, this debate will not have a live audience. This may make both candidates uncomfortable, especially Trump, who thrives on energy from crowds.
However, without voters present, the candidates may be more pragmatic and less about theatrics.
Another issue Trump faces is that debate rules require his microphone to be muted when not speaking, except during his designated speaking time.
Both candidates are known for their temperamental and impatient nature, used to controlling the stage in their own ways. Having both served as president, they may feel there is no reason to give ground to each other.
Trump may try to provoke Biden by mentioning legal issues concerning the president’s son Hunter. Hunter was recently convicted on three felony charges for lying to a federal gun license dealer, falsely claiming to not be a drug user on an application, and illegally possessing a firearm for 11 days.
While Biden is experienced in shifting such topics, Trump must be cautious not to antagonize moderate voters through bullying tactics.
Both Biden and Trump may be a bit rusty in debates. Trump refused to participate in the 2024 Republican primary debates, but this decision did not hurt him as he easily defeated all opponents to secure the party’s nomination. Biden has also not participated in a debate for nearly four years.