The leading Democratic and Republican candidates, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, will participate in two presidential debates ahead of the 2024 election. The debates will take place in June and September and will be hosted by the major cable news networks.
When is the Presidential Debate?
Recognizing that Georgia is a key battleground state, CNN will host the first debate on June 27 at 9 p.m. ET from its Atlanta studios.
Who will moderate the debate?
The debate will be moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, according to a statement from CNN's press room.
Bash is CNN's chief political correspondent and anchor of the weekday political talk show “Inside Politics.” Tapper is CNN's lead anchor, chief Washington correspondent and host of the news show “The Read with Jake Tapper.”
How to watch the presidential debates
The first debate will be broadcast live on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español and CNN Max. Those without cable television can watch the debate via live streaming on CNN.com, as well as on other broadcast and cable news networks across the United States.
The second ABC-hosted debate is scheduled for September 10. Details about the location and moderator of the ABC-hosted debate have not yet been announced.
What are the rules for the presidential debates?
In addition to meeting constitutional requirements and registering as a candidate with the Federal Election Commission, both media outlets require that a candidate appear on the ballot in enough states to receive at least 270 electoral votes. Candidates must also “accept the rules and format of the debates” and receive at least 15 percent support in four national polls of registered voters or likely voters.
Microphones will be muted except when candidates are speaking, and there will be no audience in the studio.
Will independent candidates take part in the debates?
For now, no. Television requirements make it difficult for independent candidates like Robert F. Kennedy and Cornel West to appear in the debates. But Kennedy has signaled his intention to try. He's already above 15% in two primary polls, a feat no other candidate has achieved. Kennedy is currently on the ballot in states with a total of 85 electoral votes. His campaign and a pro-Kennedy super PAC claim to have gathered enough signatures to appear on the ballot in 11 more states. These states account for an additional 129 electoral votes.
But on May 15, in a statement about X, Kennedy said he would meet the requirements in time for the debate.
