How to watch the first presidential debate

(NewsNation) – President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off on an Atlanta debate stage Thursday for the first presidential debate of 2024. The debate, hosted by CNN in Atlanta, marked the first time the pair have shared a stage since 2020. 

Read NewsNation’s analysis of the debate, who won the first debate and more 2024 Debate coverage here.

The race between the pair remains tight with polling by The Hill/Decision Desk HQ Wednesday showing Trump had a 1.2% lead over Biden. The tight polling comes amid convictions for both Trump and Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. Both convictions will likely be brought up in the debate.

Trump was found guilty of 34 felony charges for falsifying business records last month. Recent polling found that although only a small share of Republicans said they would be less likely to back Trump after his conviction, 21% of independents said they were less likely to vote for him.

Hunter Biden was found guilty of all three felony gun charges earlier this month. He faces up to 25 years in prison. The majority of voters said they were largely unphased by the conviction, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The debate was moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, and featured a new set of rules to prevent some of the familiar animosity between Biden and Trump. Here’s everything you need to know about the first debate:

What are the rules of the presidential debate? 

CNN has confirmed that the campaigns of Biden and Trump have agreed to rules that have never previously been used in a debate. Some of the rules include that there will be no audience, no help from aides, no notes and no interrupting.

To enforce the no interruptions rule, the microphone of one candidate will be muted while the other is speaking. The moderators “will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion,” according to CNN.

Previous debates between the two candidates have been criticized for the chaos of the two men talking over each other, in one instance leading to Biden saying “Will you shut up, man?”

The only items available to them at their podiums will be paper, a pen and a bottle of water. The podium each man stands at will be determined by a coin flip. There will be no other props, such as earpieces. Neither candidate will be allowed to call on aides during the commercial breaks. 

Some Democratic strategists think that the new rules could potentially benefit Biden.

“I actually think this will benefit President Biden, giving him the opportunity to fully explain himself and fully get his comment off the mic without having the interruption of Donald Trump,” strategist Krystal Knight told “NewsNation Prime”

RFK Jr. won’t be at the debate

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will not be participating in CNN’s Presidential Debate. Instead, Kennedy will answer the same debate questions in real-time on his website. You can watch the full live stream on NewsNationNow.com. RFK Jr. will also be an exclusive guest on NewsNation after Thursday’s debate. Find your channel at joinnn.com.

To qualify for the debate, a candidate must appear on the ballot in enough states to reach the 270 electoral college votes necessary to win the presidential election.

Kennedy’s campaign claimed they had enough signatures for ballot access in states with over 270 electoral votes, but many states have not verified these signatures yet. Kennedy is currently only on the ballot in six states, making him eligible for 89 electoral votes. 

“They are trying to exclude me from their debate because they are afraid I would win. Keeping viable candidates off the debate stage undermines democracy,” Kennedy wrote on X.

Participants must also receive at least 15% in four separate national polls of registered or likely voters according to CNN.  

Kennedy has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging that Biden and Trump “colluded” to keep him out of this debate, Politico reports. CNN said this claim is unfounded. `

What Trump and Biden could debate? 

Topics such as the problems at the border, the economy and Trump’s felony conviction are expected to be highlighted throughout the debate. Biden’s campaign has attempted to keep the economy and infrastructure at the center of his campaign as Trump continues to poll ahead of Biden on border issues. 

Voters on both sides of the aisle have also voiced concerns over the health of both men, as they are the two oldest major-party candidates to ever seek presidential office. Trump turned 78 earlier this month and Biden is 81. 

Trump and Biden go head-to-head

Biden publicly challenged Trump to a debate in May, which Trump accepted, and two debates were scheduled before the end of the day. Both Biden’s and Trump’s campaigns have agreed to the rules set forth by CNN and accepted the invitation. 

“The contrast between President Trump’s strength and success versus Crooked Joe Biden’s weakness, failures, and dishonesty will be made clear on the debate stage next week,” Trump campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, wrote on X.

Biden’s debate preparations will be led by Ron Klain, his first White House Chief of Staff. Klain performed this same role in Biden’s 2020 presidential debates and his 2012 vice-presidential debate. 

When is the next presidential debate? 

The next presidential debate will take place on September 10, hosted by ABC. 

A vice presidential debate could take place on July 23 or August 13. The Biden campaign informed CBS News that it accepted the invitation to a debate on either of those dates, but Trump has not yet selected a running mate.