Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden will face off on Thursday night during the first presidential debate of the 2024 race for the White House.
The debate marks the first time the two men have formally sparred since the 2020 election, when Americans ultimately selected Biden over Trump. Hours before the debate began, the president and former president's top allies gathered in the Peach State to tell reporters, campaign officials and more what to expect on stage.
Trump and Biden on Thursday night will attack their rival's record on issues ranging from reproductive rights to the U.S. southern border and inflation hitting Americans' wallets. But they'll also make their own pitch about how they would lead the nation for the next four years.
Follow along for live coverage from across the USA TODAY Network.
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Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide
RFK Jr. to hold his own livestream debate tonight
During Thursday’s presidential debate, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is hosting a program over livestream after he failed to qualify for tonight’s event.
To make it to the debate stage, candidates had to get on a sufficient number of state ballots as well as earn at least 15% in four separate national polls. Shortly after the CNN Presidential Debate was announced last month, Kennedy filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, alleging that CNN violated federal election laws by scheduling the June debate.
Kennedy will respond to the same questions that Biden and Trump are asked in a livestreamed event moderated by John Stossel that his campaign is calling “The Real Debate.” It will start at the same time as the presidential debate and will be held in front of a live audience in a Los Angeles studio.
– Maya Marchel Hoff
Melania Trump? Eric Trump? Who's with Trump in Atlanta?
As Donald Trump arrived in Atlanta Thursday evening for the pivotal debate, some political observers were watching who's in Trump's entourage for the event.
Footage fromTrump landing in Atlantashows he deplaned alone, and it is unclear if his wife Melania or other members of his family are there with him.
But several Trump surrogates
who have also been floated for the vice presidential candidacy, are part of the entourage in Trump's spin room, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum; Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and others.
– Kinsey Crowley
Debate spin room buzzing hours before Trump and Biden take the stage
Hours before the big matchup between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the floor at Georgia Tech University’s McCamish Pavilion – a basketball arena converted to debate spin room – was buzzing with reporters, campaign officials and politicians.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom; Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy all were swarmed by reporters.
Trump campaign aide Corey Lewandowski and Republican National Convention co-chair David Bossie also circulated in the crowd, along with religious leader Ralph Reed. FOX News host Sean Hannity walked through the crowd and stopped to chat with Reed.
Asked about the questions Trump continues to face surrounding his character and temperament, Lewandowski said “it’s up for the American people to decide.”
“They get to decide if an 82-year-old who is practicing standing for 90 minutes should be the next leader of this country,” Lewandowski said, adding a year to Biden’s age. “Or if Donald Trump should be the leader of this country because they don’t like they way he… made some remarks.”
– Zac Anderson
What time is the debate? 9 p.m. eastern to central, pacific
The CNN Presidential Debate will begin at 9 p.m. ET, which is 8 p.m. CT and 6 p.m. PT.
– Rachel Barber
Can I livestream the debate? How do I watch the debate without cable?
Yes. A livestream and recording of the first presidential debate will be available onUSA TODAY’s YouTube channel.
–Rachel Barber
Biden campaign to launch ads during debate
The Biden campaign will air a set of three ads in battleground states criticizing Trump on issues such as reproductive rights and threats to democracy, CNN reported.
The first ad, which will run before the debate, will seek to tie Trump to abortion restrictions passed by states after Roe v. Wade’s fall in 2022.
The second ad will feature a Michigan sheriff who will slam Trump for refusing to denounce the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, according to the outlet. The third ad, which will air after the debate, will focus on criminal charges across four indictments.
– Sudiksha Kochi
Where do Donald Trump and Joe Biden stand on student loan forgiveness?
One of Joe Biden’s signature priorities while in the White House has been addressing student loan debt. With his effort challenged or blocked in court, the president said alternative actions by his Education Department have resulted in $160 billion in debt relief for nearly 4.6 million borrowers as of May 2024.
Donald Trump has criticized Biden’s efforts to cancel student loan debt for millions of borrowers. In 2023 he also praised the Supreme Court justices for striking down a chunk of Biden’s plan, which Trump called unfair for people who have paid back their educational loans.
– Joey Garrison, David Jackson and Marina Pitofsky
Is Biden or Trump leading in the polls ahead of the debate?
Trump and Biden are in a near dead-heat, according to a Real Clear Politics average of national polling. Trump is slightly ahead at 46.6% compared to Biden’s 45.1%, but those results are well within the margin of error.
– Karissa Waddick
USA TODAY is fact checking the first 2024 debate
The USA TODAY Fact Check Team will be investigating claims from the presumptive nominees on debate night.
We'll be watching for statements that exaggerate, mislead, misrepresent or otherwise stray from reality. Our team uses primary documents, trustworthy nonpartisan sources, data and other research tools to assess the accuracy of claims. And you won't have to take our word for it, since we'll always link our sources as we go.
Presidential debate live fact check: What Trump, Biden got right (and wrong)
– Bradley Sylvester
Jake Tapper and Dana Bash: Who is moderating the debate?
CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the debate. Both have experience moderating political debates, including CNN’s Republican Presidential Primary Debate this cycle.
On Monday, Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt accused the longtime political journalists of being biased during an interview with CNN's Kasie Hunt before the host abruptly ended the interview,The Hillreported.
CNN defended Tapper and Bash, saying in a statement shared with USA TODAY Tuesday, "there are no two people better equipped to co-moderate a substantial and fact-based discussion."
– Rachel Barber and Kinsey Crowley
Jill Biden rallies supporters before debate
Hours before the two presumptive nominees were slated to hit the debate stage for the first time in the 2024 presidential race, first lady Jill Biden stopped in Virginia Beach on her way to Atlanta to support her husband, President Joe Biden.
“You all know that there’s two visions for America and you’ll see them tonight when you watch the debate,” she told the crowd that had gathered inside of the Biden-Harris campaign office in Virginia Beach for a sign-making event.
“You’ve already chosen your vision, or you wouldn’t be here,” she said to the crowd of Biden supporters. “The vision you’ve chosen is for strong, steady leadership versus the other vision, which is chaos and corruption.”
– Elizabeth Beyer
What are the rules for the debate?
The candidates will be provided with a pen, pad of paper and a water bottle, but are prohibited from bringing props or prewritten notes. Following a history of presidential frontrunners talking over one another, CNN announced candidates' microphones will be muted throughout the debate when it is not their turn to speak.
The candidates will also not be able to consult with their campaign teams during the event’s two commercial breaks, a departure from past formats overseen by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
Biden’s campaign won a coin flip against Trump’s, giving his aides the choice between selecting the president’s podium or the order of the debate’s closing statements. The president’s campaign opted for the podium on the right side of the stage, meaning Trump's campaign got to choose the order of closing statements. His team opted to give Trump the final word.
– Rachel Barber, Sudiksha Kochi and Marina Pitofsky
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp did not vote for Trump in the primary
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, revealed that he did not vote for his party’s frontrunner, Donald Trump, in the state’s primary election in March.
The governor revealed his decision – counter to that of many GOP voters and lawmakers – in an interview with CNN on the eve of the historic debate between Trump and President Joe Biden.
“I didn’t vote for anybody,” Kemp told CNN Wednesday when asked if he voted for Trump.
– Savannah Kuchar
Who is in the debate?
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in the first presidential debate. Third party candidates including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will not participate in the debate.
In order to secure a spot on stage, CNN required candidates to have received at least 15% support in four approved national polls and qualify for the ballot in enough states to have the opportunity to earn the 270 electoral votes in November needed to win the White House.
– Rachel Barber
What channel is the debate?
The debate will air on CNN and its related channels including CNN International and CNN en Español. Several other networks will carry the debate including Fox News, ABC News, NBC News, and NewsMax.
– Rachel Barber
GOP lawmakers want to see a more measured Donald Trump
House Republicans tuning into tonight’s debate hope to see a more mellow version of Donald Trump compared to his previous debates with Joe Biden, telling USA TODAY that policy debates should be the priority for the former president.
But those GOP lawmakers acknowledged that Trump’s previous performance in debates means they can’t exactly have high hopes.
“I think he’s his own man and he’s gonna do what he’s gonna do,” Rep. Jake Ellzey, R-Texas, said. Ellzey thinks Trump is going to come off more “gentlemanly” tonight.
“You’re never gonna change Donald Trump. He is who he is, he talks the way he does,” Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., said. But he hopes to at least see a “little more measured approach” and “a little more hopeful.”
“You been to Baskin Robbins? There’s 31 flavors,” Alford said. “I think there’s 31 flavors of Donald Trump. You’re going to see the rocky road, you’re going to see the daiquiri ice, you’re going to see a little vanilla. But in the end, it’s gonna be something you want to take home.”
– Ken Tran
Joe Biden says it's 'good to be back' in Atlanta
Joe Biden shared photos of voters cheering in Atlanta a few hours before the first 2024 presidential debate.
"I met some incredible supporters who are fired up ahead of tonight’s debate. Let’s finish the job," he shared on X, formerly Twitter.
– Marina Pitofsky
Will tonight's presidential debate be a 2020 replay? Here's what Chris Wallace said
CNN personality Chris Wallace suggested on "The Source with Kaitlin Collins" that Donald Trump may change tactics in thefirst debate of the 2024 presidential election. Wallace moderated the first debate in 2020 between Trump and Joe Biden when he was an anchor at Fox News. That debate provided multiplecampaign changing moments.
"I’ve talked to a lot of people in the top echelons of his staff. They say he finally understands how badly he did in the 2020 debate," Wallace said. "The two words that are coming out ― you don’t usually hear from the Trump camp ― are ‘nice’ and ‘respectful.'"
– James Powel and Kinsey Crowley
White House reporters urge CNN to widen access during debate
The White House Correspondents’ Association said they're concerned about CNN’s decision to deny their request for a specific White House pool reporter inside the studio during the network’s presidential debate in Atlanta between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Currently, CNN rules state that a pool of still photographers will be allowed in the studio, but a reporter specifically representing print reporters will be given access during commercial breaks. But a broader group of White House reporters say they need more access to cover the historic event.
“That is not sufficient in our view and diminishes a core principle of presidential coverage,” the statement says. “The White House pool has a duty to document, report and witness the president’s events and his movements on behalf of the American people."
– Sudiksha Kochi
Will Biden and Trump shake hands?
It's not clear. The president's campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond told Fox News that he probably wouldn't shake Trump's hand, but he added that he believes "President Biden consistently rises above pettiness." Prior to the 2016 election between Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a handshake was a central part of decorum of presidential debates.
– Karissa Waddick
Who is Donald Trump's VP pick? Everything to know about the many possibilities
Joe Bidenand Donald Trumphave not yet been formally nominated by their party, and Trump has yet to announce his pick for avice presidential running mate.
Trump told NBC News he hasdecided on a running mate, and they could be in Atlanta for the debate. Here is what to know about Trump's vice presidential candidate search so far:
Who is Donald Trump's VP pick?Everything to know about the many possibilities
– Kinsey Crowley
Trump's potential running mates trek to Atlanta
Trump and Biden won't be the only national candidates speaking tonight in Atlanta – there are also all those Trump vice presidential candidates.
Trump surrogates who will be speaking to the media include the three most often mentioned vice presidential prospects: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
There are also long-shot Republican veep candidates surrogating for Trump, including businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida.
– David Jackson
Play along with presidential debate bingo
Ready to win presidential debate bingo? USA TODAY has everything you need to play along asPresident Joe Bidenand formerPresident Donald Trumpface off in the first of two debates as they compete to win the White House this November.
Pick a card and cross off a square every time Biden or Trump brings up one of the statements or terms. Five squares in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, wins bingo.
– Rachel Barber
Where do Trump and Biden stand on health care?
Expanding health care coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act and lowering prescription drug costs remain two of Biden’s signature campaign promises in his second presidential race.
He has called health care a right, not a privilege, for all. He succeeded in winning the right for Medicare to negotiate prices for a slate of drugs for seniors and to cap their annual costs at $2,000. He has said he wants to extend both policies to all Americans.
Trump tried and failed to repeal the health care law signed by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama. Now, Trump says he does not want to repeal it but to improve it and make it cheaper. He has not released a specific plan.
As president, he did sign legislation to increase funding for substance use disorder treatment in the wake of the opioid epidemic, and in 2017 he declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency.
– Joey Garrison, David Jackson and Marina Pitofsky
Trump arrives in Atlanta
Donald Trump's Trump motorcade is now leaving the airport in Atlanta ahead of the debate.
– David Jackson
How old is Donald Trump?
Age has taken center stage in the 2024 race for the White House. If either candidate on stage on Thursday wins in November, they will become the oldest person to take the oath of office.
Donald Trump is 78 years old. He was born on June 14, 1946.
– James Powel
Where do Trump and Biden stand on the economy?
Donald Trump receives some of his highest marks from voters on his handling of the economy. A Wall Street Journal poll in March found a majority of voters said they trust him to do a better job than Biden in bringing down inflation, a top economic concern.
In 2017, Trump and his fellow Republicans passed a $1.5 trillion tax overhaul, which would expire during the next president’s term in 2025.
Biden says he believes the best way to boost the U.S. economy is from the middle out and the bottom up. His economic plan has included the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan - a post-pandemic stimulus package - and funding for major infrastructure projects and climate initiatives.
Biden has called for an increase in the minimum corporate tax to 21% from 15%. He also wants to restore a previous version of the Child Tax Credit, make the healthcare tax credit permanent and give new home buyers a $400 a month tax credit for two years to bring down mortgage costs.
– Joey Garrison, David Jackson and Marina Pitofsky
Looking for a debate drinking game?
The first presidential debate of the 2024 general election is set for Thursday night, with presumptive Democratic nominee President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, set to meet face to face for the first time since the White House changed hands in 2021.
Here are three games that can help you get through thepresidential debate Thursday night.
From Bingo to shotsPresidential debate drinking games, an American tradition
– James Powel
Mary Trump, Donald Trump's niece, to make pitch for Biden at presidential debate
Mary Trump, a psychologist, writer, and niece and critic of former President Donald Trump, will make an appearance in the spin room following Thursday's CNNpresidential debate, the Biden campaign said.
She will be supporting her uncle’s opponent, current President Joe Biden, and will be joined by several key Democratic leaders, including Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock, Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, California Rep. Robert Garcia and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
– Joey Garrison and Maya Homan
How old is Joe Biden?
Age has taken center stage in the 2024 race for the White House. If either candidate on stage on Thursday wins in November, they will become the oldest person to take the oath of office.
Biden was born on November 20, 1942. He is 81 years old.
– James Powel
Where do Biden and Trump stand on climate change?
Trump opposes most climate change legislation, a position that hasn’t changed since his term in the White House. During his presidency, he withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, a global climate initiative that Biden rejoined once he took office.
Biden has warned that denying the impacts of climate change in the U.S. and around the world is “condemning the American people to a very dangerous future.” He has also set a national goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030 and has pledged to make the American power sector 100% carbon-pollution-free by 2035.
– Marina Pitofsky
Are Trump and Biden in Atlanta?
Biden arrived in Atlanta this afternoon and greeted groups of supporters chanting “four more years” and “let’s go Joe,” according to White House press pool reports.
Trump is expected to arrive in the Peach State at approximately 5:30 p.m.
– Marina Pitofsky
Yes, Donald Trump is still waiting for Supreme Court to rule on immunity
The former president debates while he and the rest of the political world are on the cusp of an important legal ruling: A Supreme Court decision on his claim of immunity from prosecution for actions he took while in office.
Court rulings announced Thursday did not include the immunity case, which could determine when - and if - Trump is tried on criminal charges he tried to steal the 2020 election from Biden.
The high court is scheduled to issue more rulings on Friday, but that is not expected to be the final day of the current term. So the Trump immunity decision could slip until next week.
– David Jackson
Democratic governors talk Biden, debate expectations
Several Democratic governors from across the country gathered in Minneapolis Monday on the anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. While there, they looked ahead to tonight’s debate.
“This will be the first opportunity in a long time for people to see the contrast of these two people side by side,” Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly told USA TODAY. “And I think if people are watching with open minds, open eyes, the contrast will be startling.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he wouldn’t give the president and leader of his party any advice ahead of the 2024 showdown.
“This isn't theoretical. There's two people who are going to be president, one or the other,” Walz said. “There's going to be a vision that's hopeful, compassionate, optimistic, addressing climate change, addressing inequities. And then there's going to be grievance filled, you know, anger coming from former President Trump.”
– Savannah Kuchar
How long is the debate?
The debate is scheduled to last 90 minutes and will include two commercial breaks.
– Rachel Barber
Must-watch cringe TV:Few swing state voters want to see Trump-Biden debate
CNN says debate will not have an extended delay
CNN corrected rumors that the first presidential debate will air with a 1–2-minute delay, instead of the standard 7-second delay, allowing the network to potentially edit parts of the broadcast. CNN Communicationsresponded in a poston X, formerly Twitter, stating “This is false. The debate will begin live at 9pm ET.”
– Rachel Barber
Where is the presidential debate?
The first presidential debate will take place atCNN’s studio in Atlanta, Georgia, without a live studio audience.
–Rachel Barber
