First presidential debate: How to watch Trump vs Biden face-off

WASHINGTON, DC: After the explosive first debate in 2020, the anticipation for the upcoming showdown between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on Thursday, June 27, is palpable. Given the history of the two contenders and the high stakes of the 2024 presidential race, the outcome of this second encounter remains uncertain.

The rematch, taking place four years after their first debate, is notable for its timing. Unlike the usual September and October debates, this one happens earlier in the election cycle, before the candidates have been formally nominated.

2024 presidential debate: Key issues and rules 

Both candidates have significant points they are likely to bring up. Trump may attempt to capitalize on Biden's age at 81 years old and multiple reports of cognitive decline. He could also target issues related to inflation and immigration, areas where he believes Biden is vulnerable.

Conversely, Biden could use Trump's age against him, given that Trump is 78 years old. Biden is also expected to confront Trump about his criminal conviction and his stance on abortion, topics that could resonate strongly with voters.

Despite CNN having rules in place to maintain order during the debate, the event still promises to be a revealing indicator of how the rest of the 2024 presidential election might play out. The network's guidelines might help curb some of the drama, but the personal and political stakes will likely make for an intense exchange.

Where can I watch the debate and who are the moderators?

For those interested in tuning in, the first debate between Biden and Trump will be held on Thursday, June 27, beginning at 9 pm ET. CNN will host the event in its Atlanta studio, and it will air live on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Espanol, and CNN Max.

For viewers without a cable subscription, the debate will be available for streaming on CNN.com and USA Today's YouTube channel.

CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the debate. Both are experienced in this role, having co-moderated a Democratic debate in 2020 and a Republican primary debate earlier this year, USA Today reported.

Trump's attacks on Biden and CNN

In the lead-up to the debate, Trump has ramped up his demands for Biden to take a pre-debate drug test, a request the Biden campaign has dismissed as "desperate." Trump has also voiced numerous complaints about CNN, accusing the network and its moderators of bias.

On Monday afternoon, Trump wrote on his social media platform, "DRUG TEST FOR CROOKED JOE BIDEN??? I WOULD, ALSO, IMMEDIATELY AGREE TO ONE!!!" He has been calling for Biden to undergo drug testing since April, claiming he would debate Biden "anytime" and "anywhere" if the President agreed to the test.

At a rally in Philadelphia, Trump continued to claim that any strong performance by Biden in the debate would be due to performance-enhancing drugs. He said, "So, a little before debate time, he gets a shot in the a** -- they want to strengthen him up so he comes out, he'll come out, okay, I say he'll come out all jacked up, right? All jacked up."

This tactic is not new for Trump. He previously called for Biden to take a drug test before their 2020 debates, suggesting that Biden was using performance-enhancing drugs during the Democratic primary. In 2016, Trump made similar unsubstantiated claims about Hillary Clinton.

In addition to the drug test demands, Trump has also voiced his dissatisfaction with the debate being hosted by CNN and the rules he and his campaign had to agree to, including the absence of an audience and the muting of microphones when it is not a candidate's turn to speak, ABC News reported.

Despite his grievances, Trump agreed to participate in the debates. At a rally in Racine, Wisconsin, he recounted how he was challenged to debate and felt compelled to accept despite his reservations about CNN.

He stated, "You know, I agreed to the debates. They came up to me and they said, 'We're going to do a debate. We'd like to challenge you to a debate.' But they didn't want me to accept. So, they gave me something that I couldn't accept."

Trump added, "They thought I would say, no, I don't want to do because CNN is so, you know, it's fake news. But I think maybe they'll be honest. I think Fake Tapper would really help himself if it were honest. But you'll see immediately if it is or not."