Biden Gets Trump’s Debate Mic Muted?

Was Biden behind this?

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have agreed to the rules and guidelines for the first presidential debate of 2024. These include the use of podiums and ensuring that microphones are muted when a candidate is not speaking.

Scheduled for June 27 in Atlanta, the debate will be moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. Both candidates have accepted CNN’s invitation and agreed to the format and rules, according to the network’s announcement on Saturday.

A second debate is planned for September 10 and will be hosted by ABC.

The initial debate will be 90 minutes long, with two commercial breaks during which candidates will not be allowed to interact with their campaign teams.

A coin toss will determine podium placement, and candidates are prohibited from using props or bringing pre-written notes. Each will be given a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water.

There will be no studio audience, and Tapper and Bash will use all available measures to enforce timing and ensure a respectful exchange.

Candidates must meet several criteria to participate. They must fulfill all constitutional requirements to run for president and have officially declared their candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. Biden and Trump, along with third-party candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, and Jill Stein, have met these requirements.

Participants must also appear on enough state ballots to potentially secure the 270 electoral votes needed for a win and achieve at least 15% in four separate national polls that meet CNN’s reporting standards. This makes it unlikely for candidates other than Biden and Trump to qualify for the debate.

Among the third-party candidates, Kennedy is the closest to meeting the debate threshold, having reached at least 15% in three qualifying polls and appearing on ballots in six states.