What Makes the 2024 Presidential Debate Different From Previous Elections

Nik Popli breaks down the rule changes for the first 2024 presidential debate.

Transcript

00:00When President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump meet on the debate stage on June 27,

00:05they will do so under a new set of rules designed to avoid the chaotic scenes and frequent interruptions

00:10that marked their debates during the last election.

00:13The new rules were introduced by CNN, which is hosting the first debate, and they include

00:17a number of measures to ensure each candidate's uninterrupted speaking time.

00:21The rule changes were proposed as a way to prevent a repeat of the first debate of the

00:252020 presidential cycle, during which the candidates regularly attacked each other's character.

00:30It was during that debate that Trump repeatedly interrupted and heckled Biden,

00:33prompting Biden's memorable retort.

00:36The question is, the question is, the question is, would you shut up, man.

00:41Listen, who is on your list, Joe?

00:42Who's on your list?

00:44Gentlemen, I think we have ended this one.

00:46He's going to pack the court.

00:48The moderator often failed to get the discussion back on track.

00:51Both Biden and Trump have endorsed the new rules and committed to participate in the televised debate.

00:56For the first time in recent history, the debate will feature two commercial breaks

00:59during the 90-minute broadcast, a departure from past events hosted by the Bipartisan

01:04Commission on Presidential Debates, which did not include corporate advertisements.

01:08However, campaign staff will not be allowed to interact with their respective candidates

01:12during these commercial breaks, so they can't get strategic advice or touch up their makeup

01:16and appearance during this time.

01:18Unlike in previous debates, there will be no opening statements this time.

01:22Instead, each candidate will deliver a two-minute closing statement at the conclusion of the debate.

01:28CNN flipped a coin to determine podium placement and the order of closing statements,

01:33and the coin landed on Biden's pick, tails.

01:35Biden chose to stand at the right podium.

01:37Trump then opted to deliver the last closing statement, giving him the final word.

01:41The debate will begin with a question, with candidates each allotted two minutes to respond.

01:46This will be followed by one-minute rebuttals and responses to the rebuttals, along with

01:50additional time at the moderator's discretion.

01:53Visual cues, such as flashing red lights, will alert candidates to their remaining speaking time.

01:58Another rule change is that microphones will be muted throughout the proceedings, except

02:02when it is the candidate's turn to speak.

02:04This was a measure aimed at curtailing interruptions that have marred previous debates.

02:08Each candidate will also be provided with a pen, notepad, and a bottle of water on stage.

02:13However, no props or written notes will be allowed.

02:15And perhaps the biggest change this debates, there will be no studio audience, once again

02:20in an attempt to minimize disruptions during the debate.

02:23Typically, audience members are instructed to remain quiet while the candidates are speaking,

02:27but that rule has not always been followed.

02:29These are some of the ways in which the June 27 debate between Biden and Trump will be

02:33different from previous years.