By: Gabby Zhou

The final two candidates for the presidential election for the democratic and republican party are, respectively, President Biden and former President Trump. Biden and Trump’s first debate this year will mark the earliest in American history, taking place on June 27. The second debate will be held on September 10. “President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump is giving voters at least two opportunities to size them up on a debate stage before the election.” (The New York Times, 2024)

The face-off this Thursday “poses significant risks for the two men — both of them the oldest candidates ever to compete in a presidential race — who have been locked in a contentious rivalry defined by mutual hatred for more than four years” (The New York Times, 2024) heightening the unpredictability of the face-off taking place.

The two rivals take different approaches to preparing for the debate taking place on June 27. Mr. Biden uses aid at Camp David for formal debate sessions. Mr. Trump’s preparation included “a policy session with Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Eric Schmitt of Missouri”

The presidential debate will be hosted by CNN rather than a nonpartisan commission. The debate will have no opening audience and no opening statements. CNN confirms that President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to a set of rules that have never been used in past debates, including no notes, no help from aides and no interrupting the other debater.

This will be the first time Biden and Trump meet face-to-face after their last meeting for 2020’s presidential debate.