Trump-Biden debate: Little new insight into policy goals

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Last updated: Friday, June 28, 2024 4:32AM GMT
President Debate spurs concerns over Biden's reelection chances
In a historic clash of personality and policy, Joe Biden and Donald Trump took the stage for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off in Thursday's presidential debate.

Hosted by CNN, it was the earliest-ever debate in a presidential race, taking place before the Republican and Democratic conventions in July and August -- when both Trump and Biden will officially accept their party's nominations.

Jun 28, 2024, 1:48 AM

Fact-checking the first 2024 Presidential Debate

ABC News is fact-checking both Biden and Trump's claims in real time.

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President Joe Biden, right, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, during a presidential debate hosted by CNN, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta.
President Joe Biden, right, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, during a presidential debate hosted by CNN, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta.
Jun 27, 2024, 11:11 PM GMT

The ground rules for this presidential debate

Biden and Trump will stand at lecterns decided earlier by a coin flip. Their microphones will be muted unless it is a candidate's turn to speak, CNN said, which is likely to limit how much the candidates can interrupt each other.

Though it's yet not clear who will control the ability to mute the candidates' microphones, the moderators "will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion," according to the network.

MORE | Will muted mics, other rules make a difference in tonight's debate?

This combination of photos show President Donald Trump, left, and former Vice President Joe Biden during the first presidential debate on Sept. 29, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio.
This combination of photos show President Donald Trump, left, and former Vice President Joe Biden during the first presidential debate on Sept. 29, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio.

According to CNN's rules, Biden and Trump won't be allowed to use any props or pre-written notes, but will be given paper, a pen and water. Their campaign staffs will not be allowed to interact with them during the debate.

There will be no opening statements. The coin flip determined Biden would stand at the podium to the viewer's right, while Trump would deliver the final closing statement.

Going without a live audience was important to the Biden campaign, but also to CNN. The network's town hall with Trump in 2023 was panned in large part because of the presence of Trump partisans.

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Jun 27, 2024, 10:29 PM GMT

Trump lands in Atlanta

Donald Trump's private plane has landed in Atlanta ahead of Thursday's first general election presidential debate.

A group of his supporters gathered on the tarmac to witness the landing and cheered as he touched down.

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Jun 27, 2024, 10:31 PM GMT

Biden arrives in Atlanta before presidential debate

A lively crowd of supporters greeted President Joe Biden as he arrived at his Atlanta hotel ahead of tonight's debate.

President Joe Biden, second right, greets supporters, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, Ga., before a presidential debate.
President Joe Biden, second right, greets supporters, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, Ga., before a presidential debate.

The crowd of about 50 chanted "Four more years." Many wore campaign T-shirts. Some held placards with Biden's trademark aviator sunglasses on them. Others had signs with the face of Biden's alter ego "Dark Brandon."

The president pumped his fist and embraced one man, a possible sign of how he's getting energized for the evening's showdown with former President Donald Trump.

BySarah Beth Hensley ABCNews logo
Jun 27, 2024, 9:48 PM GMT

How to watch

CNN made the debate available to simulcast on additional broadcast and cable news networks in the U.S. and it will be simulcast on ABC and ABC News Live with pre-debate coverage beginning at 8 p.m. EDT on the network and 7 p.m EDT on ABCNL.

ABC News Digital and 538 will live blog the latest from the debate stage as it happens and provide analysis and the biggest takeaways from the night.

Moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, the debate will air Thursday, June 27 at 9 p.m. EDT/8 p.m. CDT/6 p.m. PDT.

It will air live on CNN, CNN International, CNN en EspaƱol, CNN Max and stream without a cable login necessary on CNN.com.

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