An unprecedented debate could upend a White House race like never before.
WASHINGTON (TND) In an unprecedented election matchup, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in a debate Thursday night. This event, occurring at the earliest point in the general election since debates started being televised in 1960, is set to be a unique spectacle.
The debate, hosted by CNN in Atlanta, is one of two that both campaigns have agreed to participate in. With the race expected to be decided by a narrow margin of votes across a handful of states, this debate presents a crucial opportunity for both candidates to reach millions of American households well before election day.
Much has changed since the last time the two squared off in a debate. America has emerged from the throes of the coronavirus pandemic, the economy has recovered, and most people have returned to pre-pandemic routines and lifestyles. For the two candidates, the changes have been significant as well: Trump is now a convicted felon and an increasingly polarizing figure, while Biden is a deeply unpopular president facing scrutiny over his handling of key issues.
This debate is taking place in the middle of summer, a time when many Americans are on vacation and less focused on national politics. It is the earliest televised debate in over 60 years, with previous early debates typically occurring in September.