Here’s what to expect in first 2020 presidential debate between Trump, Biden
After months of trading barbs through social media, speeches, TV ads and two nominating conventions, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden will meet face to face — and at least 6 feet apart — on Tuesday for the first presidential debate.
The presidential race has been stable for the last few months, with polls showing Biden ahead. Though it’s unclear what would change voters’ minds at this point in the race, the debate will give both Biden, 77, and Trump, 74, a chance to demonstrate their mental agility after facing attacks from one another.
Both candidates have been preparing in their own ways. Biden is prepping with advisers, and the president is watching the former vice president’s 2008 and 2012 debates.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the debate:
What time is the debate? The debate will start at 9 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday and last 90 minutes, with no commercial breaks. It will be held at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Tuesday’s debate is being co-hosted by the Cleveland Clinic, which will advise the private, nonpartisan
Commission on Presidential Debates on health security for all the debates.
How do I watch? The major news networks – ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and NBC – will air the debate on TV as well as stream it on their apps and websites. C-SPAN will air it on TV, its website and its YouTube channel.
Who is moderating? Chris Wallace, the anchor of “Fox News Sunday,” will moderate the debate. Wallace led questioning at the third presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Trump in 2016. More recently, Wallace drew praise for his direct questioning of the president in a July interview, which covered the COVID-19 pandemic, the president’s boasts about acing a cognitive test and whether Trump would accept the results of the presidential election.
Didn’t Trump’s campaign suggest other moderators? Yes.
The campaign, through former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, sent the debate commission a list of suggested moderators, including Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, and talk-radio host and Trump booster Hugh Hewitt. Wallace wasn’t on the list.
What topics will be discussed? The debate will consist of six 15-minute rounds on topics chosen by Wallace: Trump and Biden’s records; the Supreme Court; COVID-19; the economy; and race and policing.
Both candidates may also be asked if they’re willing to accept the results of the presidential election and commit to a peaceful transfer of power. Biden has said he would, but Trump has pointedly refused.
And now Wallace will be watched to see if he asks about the explosive story The New York Times published Sunday after examining decades of Trump tax returns, showing that he paid little or no federal income tax many years and wrote off items such as residences and hair styling.
When is the next debate? The only debate between Republican Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic nominee Sen. Kamala Harris of California is scheduled for Oct. 7 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
The next debate between Biden and Trump will take place Oct. 15 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. A third presidential debate is set for Oct. 22 at Belmont University in Nashville. Those debates will also run from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Eastern time, without commercial breaks.