President Trump arrives in Georgia and briefly greets supporters
Trump disembarked from the plane just after 5:30 p.m. ET to cheers from his supporters.
He pumped his fist several times as supporters chanted his name.
The former president then entered the motorcade.
Steven Chang, Jason Miller, Susie Wiles, Chris LaCivita and other senior administration officials disembarked from the plane. Trump's 2016 campaign chairman Corey Lewandowski and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) were also seen disembarking from the plane.
Will Biden call Trump a felon on stage? Campaign official says 'If the terms are right'
Biden may call Trump a “convicted felon” on stage tonight, Cedric Richmond, co-chairman of Biden's reelection campaign, told Hallie Jackson in an interview on “NBC Nightly News.”
“I don't think he would say it unnecessarily,” Richmond said. “He's called Donald Trump a felon before, so I don't think he wouldn't. And if the shoe fits, he wears it, and former President Trump is a convicted felon.”
Tune in to NBC Nightly News at 6:30pm ET/5:30pm CST (or check your local listings) for more details.
Trump's potential vice presidential candidates also participated in the debate spin room
After tonight's debate, Burgum, Rubio, Vance and Scott — the leading contenders to join Trump on the Republican nomination this fall — are scheduled to appear in the Spin Room.
NBC News reported that President Trump is considering Burgum, Vance and Rubio as possible running mates.
Trump's spokespeople also include senior campaign advisers Chris LaCivita and Suzie Wiles, as well as Stephen Miller, a White House adviser during the Trump administration.
Trump arrives in Atlanta ahead of debate
President Trump's plane landed in Atlanta, greeted by cheering fans dressed in MAGA garb.
Melania Trump's former chief of staff says it's 'very surprising' that she won't attend
It is unclear whether former First Lady Melania Trump will attend the debate.
“I'm very surprised she's not going to be there,” Stephanie Grisham, a former New Jersey chief of staff, told NBC News today.
“While Melania Trump will not be making traditional campaign appearances, she will be attending events like the presidential debates, demonstrating the importance (and value) of supporting each other as spouses,” Grisham said in a text message.
Kristen Welker: Five things to watch out for in the first 2024 presidential debate
The first Biden-Trump debate of 2024 will present many opportunities and potential perils for both candidates. As moderator of the final Biden-Trump debate, I will be focusing on specific exchanges that could sway the small number of undecided voters who will play a crucial role in the election.
It will also be interesting to see how the rules of tonight's debate will affect how their performance is perceived by voters, and whether the setting presents new opportunities or dangers for them. For example, the decision to completely mute the other candidate's microphone while he was speaking is a shift from the first 2020 debate, which was dominated by insults and interruptions.
Read the full story here.
Partiers near debate venue rally to 'Get America Drunk Again'
The venue for the Biden-Trump debate is right next to a student dormitory, where a party is taking place beneath a sign that reads “Make America Drunk Again.”
President Trump's niece: 'He has to be stopped'
The former president's niece, Mary Trump, slammed her uncle in a statement, saying she had witnessed his “narcissism and cruelty” her entire life.
“I'm in Atlanta tonight to remind everyone of who Donald is and how he would govern if he becomes president, because the stakes are too high if we get it wrong. We cannot allow Donald Trump anywhere near power again,” she said.
Mary Trump is expected to join the Biden campaign in the spin room after the debate.
She said Trump is “desperate for power” and wants to regain it “purely for his own gain.”
“He has to be stopped,” she said.
Jill Biden arrives in Georgia ahead of debate
First Lady Jill Biden arrived at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta this afternoon, just under five hours before her husband is scheduled to debate President Trump in Atlanta. In Marietta, Biden was greeted by Fulton County Commission Chairman Rob Pitts, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, former State Senator Jason Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, and Cobb County Commission Chair Lisa Cupid.
House Republicans move forward with contempt resolution against Biden ghostwriter
The House Judiciary Committee voted this afternoon in support of a resolution to hold Biden's ghostwriter in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over documents and other materials related to the writing of the presidential memoir.
The Republican-led committee passed the bill targeting Mark Zwonitzer on party-line grounds. The next step is the full House, where if the bill isn't approved it will go to the Department of Justice for further action.
The committee said it first requested documents and communications related to Biden's memoirs, “Promise Me, Dad” and “Promises to Keep,” in February, days after special counsel Robert Hur released his report saying he would not indict Biden over his handling of classified documents. The committee issued the subpoenas in March, but the committee said Zwonitzer's lawyers objected.
