Internet unsure of Donald Trump and Joe Biden's June 27 debate as both agree to new mic muting rule

WASHINGTON, DC: CNN has set the rules for the first 2024 Donald Trump and Joe Biden election debate since 2020, slated for June 27 in Atlanta, Georgia. 

In the debate within two weeks, Trump and Biden will face off for 90 minutes which will happen with muted mics and no studio audiences, CNN said on Saturday, June 15.

Who are the hosts for the 2024 Donald Trump and Joe Biden election debate?

Both the Trump and Biden election campaigns have agreed upon the rules put forth by the network.

The debate will be hosted by CNN journalists Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. This will be the first in-person debate between the two leading up to November's election.

"Both candidates have accepted the network’s invitation and agreed to accept the rules and format of the debate, as outlined in letters sent to the campaigns by the network in May," CNN said.

The two have stood alongside one another on debate stages during the 2020 cycle.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden's election debate on CNN will see no studio audience

The 90 minutes will have two commercial breaks but the campaign staff is not allowed to "interact with their candidate during that time."

Both Biden and Trump have to appear at a uniform podium, and their stage positions will be determined by a coin flip.

Microphones will be muted throughout the debate except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak.

Candidates are not allowed props or pre-written notes on stage and will be given a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water.

There will be no studio audience which the network said "will be a departure from previous debates."

Following the routine, the moderators “will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion,” according to the network.

Who qualifies for CNN's election debate?

To be eligible for the CNN showdown, a candidate is required to garner 15 percent support in four distinct national polls and appear on the ballot in a sufficient number of states to reach a 270 electoral college vote threshold. Both Biden and Trump need to meet these requirements.

"Though not impossible in Kennedy’s case, it is less likely that candidates other than Biden and Trump will meet those requirements," CNN said.

Robert F Kennedy, at present, is listed on the ballot in six states, which collectively account for 89 electoral college votes. 

Internet reacts to Donald Trump and Joe Biden's nearing showdown with new rules 

Netizens are divided over the possibility of the Trump-Biden debate. Some think Trump will not show up, others suggest debate should never happen.

"These rules are really bad for Trump if he abides by the ones he has control over," wrote one on X (formerly Twitter) about the 2020 debate when Trump was rebuked by Biden to "shut up" after constantly getting interrupted.

"Microphone muting is exactly what we want. Excellent. But…ten bucks says Trump backs out," wrote one about the possibility of Trump not showing up.

Another echoed the same concerns saying, "The debate is not going to happen."

"Trump is furiously trying to figure out how to make a shiv out of a water bottle," joked one. 

"How long before Trump starts tweeting out rage tweets about how the rules are unfair, and rigged, and how he's not allowed to speak?" wrote one. 

Some sought drug pre-debate tests for both Biden and Trump which may help them with attention on stage yet few thought Trump being a convicted felon, the debate should ever happen.

"Why the f is a sitting president even debating a convicted felon. It’s absurd. The debate should be canceled. We’re normalizing this in the biggest way possible," wrote one.

"I know the GOP like to say that Biden takes some sort of drug to boost him for speeches/debate, so it's only fair that there should be a pre-debate drug test, no?" wrote another. 

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