The final rules for the first scheduled debate between former President Donald Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden have been announced by CNN, which stated that both parties had agreed to several conditions for the event due to take place on June 27th.
The report stated that Biden and Trump had both agreed to a 90-minute debate featuring two commercial breaks. State of the Union anchors Dana Bash and Jake Tapper are set to host the standoff. Neither candidate will be allowed to contact members of his campaign during the breaks.
After the 2020 debate between the two candidates was marred with interruptions and insults from both sides, Biden and Trump have both agreed that when it is not their turn to speak their microphones will be muted. Notes and props will not be allowed, but they will be provided with a pen, paper and a bottle of water to use during the debate.
Following concerns about Biden’s mental wellbeing and age, and suggestions that he was avoiding unscripted debates with rival candidates, commentators noted that previous presidents such as Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan had “uneven” first debates
A coin will be tossed to determine where the candidates stand. The network has also announced that there will be no studio audience during the debate.
There was reportedly the possibility that independent candidates could qualify for the debates, but they would need to secure 15% of votes in at least four national polls. Robert F. Kennedy has already met the 15% requirement in two polls but ended up not qualifying.
