When Donald Trump and Joe Biden face off on Thursday night’s debate stage, it will be a significant but contentious event. This marks the first time in history a sitting president debates his predecessor, underscoring the lingering animosity between the two since Trump never conceded the 2020 election and broke tradition by skipping Biden’s inauguration after the Capitol attack.
Millions of Americans are expected to tune in, highlighting the high stakes and palpable tension as both vie to sway voters ahead of the upcoming election.
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This debate is also a reunion of sorts, as Biden and Trump haven’t shared a stage since their acrimonious 2020 debates, which were marked by interruptions and notable exchanges like Biden’s frustrated “Will you shut up, man?” This time, both men are out of practice in formal debates, with Trump having skipped recent Republican primary debates.
Unlike past debates with live audiences, this one will be held in a cable television studio without spectators, a request made by the Biden campaign following a chaotic Trump town hall. Muted microphones during opponents’ speaking times aim to prevent the chaos seen in their first encounter.
Expectations for Biden are low, fueled by conservative commentators portraying him as senile, though he has previously exceeded such low bars, including in recent public addresses. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign seeks to raise expectations for Biden while questioning CNN’s impartiality as debate host.
Both candidates face challenges in this debate, with Biden needing to dispel doubts about his age and Trump aiming to present a more tempered image to counter claims of divisiveness and threats to democracy since his 2020 defeat.
The debate’s timing, earlier than usual in a presidential campaign, means it could set the tone and define issues for the upcoming election but may not have a lasting impact on voter sentiment until closer to Election Day. Both candidates will have subsequent opportunities to reshape perceptions through national conventions and future debates.
Ultimately, while this debate is significant, it represents just the beginning of a lengthy electoral process rather than a definitive moment in the race for the presidency.
