Here are the rules announced by CNN and agreed to by both sides:
- The debate will be 90 minutes long with two commercial breaks. Campaign staff will not be allowed to interact with the candidates during breaks.
- Both candidates will stand at a unified podium, with the location of the podium to be determined by a coin toss.
- During the debate, all microphones will be muted except for the candidate who is speaking, and the network said the moderators will “take every step to ensure a timely and civil debate.”
- No props or pre-written notes are permitted on stage. Candidates should bring their own pen, notepad and water bottle.
- There will be no audience in the debate studio.
- The debate will be moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.
How to watch
The debate will air on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, CNN Max and CNN.com at 9 pm on June 27, and will also be simulcast on other networks.
Biden and Trump are likely the only candidates eligible to participate in the debates, which require candidates to appear on “enough state ballots” to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency and receive at least 15% support in the four major national polls.
So far, only Biden and Trump meet that threshold, but CNN said it's “not impossible” that Robert F. Kennedy could appear in the debate. Kennedy has at least 15% support in three primary polls and is on the ballot in six states, giving him 89 electoral votes. Cornel West and Jill Stein are not considered eligible to debate.
The next debate is scheduled for September 10th and will be hosted by ABC.
