How to watch the US presidential debates – and why they are pivotal

Joe Biden and Donald Trump are gearing up to face each other in the first televised debate of the election year

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are preparing for their first televised debate of the election year.

This debate marks the first of two agreed-upon events where the candidates will engage in a moderated discussion on national television.

When to Watch the Debate

CNN will host the first debate on June 27 at 9 pm ET (1 am GMT). The second debate is expected to be hosted by ABC in September.

This debate is unusually early in the year, preceding the official nomination of either candidate by their respective parties.

It will air two weeks before Trump’s sentencing for his New York conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The debate also coincides with the end of the Supreme Court’s term, which will include a ruling on whether Trump is immune from federal prosecution for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

Where to Watch the Debate

The event will air live on CNN and be streamed on CNN International, CNN Max, and CNN.com. It can also be viewed through subscription services that carry CNN, such as DirecTV Stream, fuboTV, Sling TV, Spectrum TV, YouTube TV, and Hulu with Live TV.

Location

The first debate will take place at CNN’s studios in Atlanta, Georgia. There will be no live audience, a break from tradition requested by Biden’s team. CNN’s chief political correspondent Dana Bash and lead Washington anchor Jake Tapper will moderate the event.

Attendees

So far, only Donald Trump and President Joe Biden are confirmed to attend. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has accused the major candidates of excluding him due to his rising support. CNN requires participants to be on enough state ballots to gain a minimum of 270 electoral votes and to have at least 15% support in four recognized polls. Although Kennedy polled at 16% in a CNN/SSRS poll, he only qualifies for 185 electoral votes based on current ballot access.

Debate Topics

The exact issues to be debated are unclear, but likely topics include the economy, conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and the records of both candidates. Trump is expected to emphasize Biden’s perceived weaknesses and fitness for office, while Biden’s team will focus on Trump’s campaign promises and rhetoric.

Analysis:

Why the Debates Could Be Pivotal

This year's presidential debates are critical in an election where the candidates are closely matched in polls. Both Biden and Trump will view their first face-off in four years as a chance to outmaneuver their opponent.

Trump’s team hopes Biden will make a significant gaffe, highlighting concerns about the 81-year-old president’s age and mental acuity. Biden's team believes Trump's incendiary rhetoric and his New York criminal conviction will remind voters why they ousted him from the White House.

With both candidates seeking to capitalize on their rival’s perceived vulnerabilities, these debates could significantly impact the election’s outcome.