Decision 2024

Time, streaming and more: How to watch the 1st Biden-Trump presidential debate

It will mark the first time two men who have held the Oval Office meet in a televised presidential debate — and they will have four years' worth of fresh material to battle over

The first presidential debate of 2024 is set for Thursday, when President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump take the stage in what will mark a first in the history of presidential debates.

The June 27 presidential debate will be historic in that it was not organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates, a bipartisan organization that has managed the presidential debates since the 1988 presidential election.

It will also mark the first time two men who have held the Oval Office meet in a televised presidential debate — and they will have four years' worth of fresh material to battle over.

So how can you watch it and what should you expect?

Here's what to know:

What time is the first Biden-Trump debate?

The first presidential debate will take place at 8 p.m. CT on June 27.

How to watch the June presidential debate?

The first presidential debate will air on CNN and be streamed on Max. It will also be streamed live in the player above and on NBC Chicago.

Will there be an audience at the first presidential debate?

The first presidential debate will take place in CNN's Atlanta studios and will not feature an audience.

"To ensure candidates may maximize the time allotted in the debate, no audience will be present," CNN said in a press release.

Who will moderate the debate?

The first presidential debate will be moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.

Why is the first presidential debate in June?

Traditionally, presidential debates have taken place in the fall, with three debates scheduled between September and October.

But this year, the Trump and Biden campaigns decided to hold a debate earlier in the election cycle to get it in before early and mail-in voting begins.

The debate is being organized by CNN, which sent out invitations to Trump and Biden. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has failed to qualify for the debate after not meeting CNN's requirements for who could attend. The move excluded the Commission for Presidential Debates, which had scheduled three debates in the fall.

Will there be another presidential debate?

Trump and Biden have both agreed to do a second presidential debate on Sept. 10, which will be hosted by ABC News.

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