What's happened
President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump have agreed to two early debates before the election, breaking from traditional structures. The first debate is set for June 27 in Atlanta, marking a significant departure from historical debate timelines.
Why it matters
The agreement between Biden and Trump to hold early debates before the election marks a departure from traditional debate structures. The decision to bypass the Commission on Presidential Debates and set their own schedule could impact the dynamics of the election campaign and voter engagement.
What the papers say
The New York Times highlights the unusual turn in the 2024 debates, with only two planned debates, neither sanctioned by the traditional debate commission. Business Insider UK notes the unprecedented nature of the early general election debate set by Biden and Trump, which will run exclusively on CNN platforms.
How we got here
Presidential debates have been a staple of campaigns for decades, with the first televised general-election debates held in 1960. The Commission on Presidential Debates has organized debates since 1988, but Biden and Trump have opted to plan their own debates this election cycle.
Common question
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate