President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump agreed on Wednesday to participate in general election debates scheduled for June 27 and September 10.
Presidential Debate Venue
According to a press release from CNN, the first debate will take place on June 27 at 9 p.m. ET in the network’s studios in Atlanta.
Audience Participation
CNN stated, “To ensure candidates may maximize the time allotted in the debate, no audience will be present. Moderators for the debate and additional details will be announced at a later date.”
The agreement emerged just hours after Biden challenged Trump to participate in two debates hosted in television studios, marking a shift from the traditional debate format. Trump quickly accepted Biden’s challenge, expressing disagreement with the no-audience format but agreeing to the proposed dates and expressing eagerness to debate.
This public agreement follows private discussions between the Biden and Trump campaigns regarding potential meetings. According to sources familiar with the discussions and a Trump campaign official, these conversations have been ongoing in recent weeks and focused on debates that would not involve the commission.
Later in the morning, Biden announced on X that he had accepted CNN’s invitation for the June 27 debate, saying, “Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place.”
Shortly thereafter, a Trump aide confirmed their acceptance of the CNN debate in Atlanta, including the absence of an audience.
Both Biden and Trump later accepted an invitation from ABC News for a second debate on September 10. “I’ve also received and accepted an invitation to a debate hosted by ABC on Tuesday, September 10th,” Biden posted on X. “Trump says he’ll arrange his own transportation. I’ll bring my plane, too. I plan on keeping it for another four years.”
Trump echoed this on Truth Social, stating, “It is my great honor to accept the CNN Debate against Crooked Joe Biden, the WORST PRESIDENT in the History of the United States and a true Threat to Democracy, on June 27th. Likewise, I accept the ABC News Debate against Crooked Joe on September 10th. Thank you, DJT!”