CNN has finalized the rules for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle, which takes place in less than two weeks.
CNN reported Saturday that the campaigns of President Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to the rules, noting that it is “not impossible” for independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to appear on stage with the two.
To qualify for CNN’s runoff, candidates must receive 15% support in four national polls and be running in states that total 270 electoral votes. Kennedy is currently running in six states that could give him a total of 89 electoral votes.
The 90-minute debate, scheduled to take place in Atlanta on June 27, will be moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash and will mark the first time Biden and Trump have faced off against each other since they appeared side-by-side on stage in the 2020 debates.
On the left is former President Donald Trump, and on the right is President Joe Biden. (Getty Images)
Both candidates accepted CNN’s invitation to debate, agreeing to certain rules and a format outlined in letters the network sent to their respective campaigns last month.
CNN said there will be two commercial breaks during the debate, during which candidates cannot consult with other members of their campaigns.
The station also noted that candidates’ podiums and positions would be determined by a coin toss, microphones would be muted except when they were speaking, and candidates would be provided with only pen and paper.
Candidates are not permitted to bring props or prepared notes.
