Biden-Trump debates for the 2024 presidential election

2024-05-20 18:28:01, Kosova & Bota CNA

President Joe Biden and his expected Republican rival, Donald Trump, have agreed to hold two presidential debates. A set of rules is intended to ensure that the debate between the two candidates for the White House takes place on the basis of ethical standards. As VOA correspondent Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports, it remains to be seen whether the debates will influence undecided voters, considering that the elections take place in November.

President Joe Biden gave a direct response on May 15 regarding the debate between the presidential candidates.

"Donald Trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then, he has not wanted to debate. Now he's acting like he wants to argue with me again."

The debates will take place on June 27 and September 10. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump laid out new demands during a campaign rally Friday in Minnesota.

“I want to argue with him and I'm going to ask for a drug test, by the way. I don't want him to come to the debate 'drugged up' like he was in the address to the country in Congress," Mr. Trump alluded to President Biden.

There is no evidence to support Mr Trump's claims. Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen questioned the former president's debate tactics during an interview on ABC's "This Week."

"He (Trump) wants to create this kind of circus-like entertainment atmosphere, but the choice will be very clear. We have a candidate who grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania fighting for the middle class. He believes in dignity at work and courtesy. Donald Trump represents chaos," said Senator Van Hollen.

Mr. Trump's former campaign adviser, Marc Lotter, emphasized the importance of the presidential debate during an interview on ABC.

"It will be a direct reminder, as Donald Trump speaks for about 90 minutes two or three times a week at rallies. Joe Bien rarely conducts an interview with tough questions. It will be a challenge for President Biden", said Mr. Lotter regarding the presidential debates.

There will be no audience in the debate hall. CNN and ABC reporters will have the option to mute their microphones if the candidates try to interrupt each other.

The debates will help Americans decide who they will vote for in the November elections, Roger Williams University professor June Speakman tells VOA.

"Trump is known for attacking his opponent's flaws, and has less interest in debating issues. I think that Biden will try to focus on the problems, his economic achievements and less on the characteristics of Trump as a candidate".

The influence on voters is related to the timing of the debates, John Fortier with the American Enterprise Institute tells VOA.

"The concentration of attention by voters is greater as the elections approach. Debates have high visibility and undecided voters focus more attention on choosing at the last minute."

The two candidates continue their campaigns to attract voters. Mr. Trump will hold a rally in the Bronx, New York on May 23. President Biden conducts an official visit to New Hampshire on May 21 and then goes to Boston, Massachusetts./ VOA