Tomorrow night on CNN, President Joe Biden and Donald Trump will go head-to-head in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle. Historically, debates between the two have been tense, at best; their September 2020 meeting left moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash (who are set to reprise their roles on Thursday) in disbelief. “That was a hot mess inside a dumpster fire inside a train wreck,” Tapper said. “That was a shitshow,” Bash agreed.
As for what we can expect from a Biden v. Trump matchup in 2024? We’ve tapped Jack Schlossberg—President John F. Kennedy’s only grandson—for his insights. Beyond his undeniable political pedigree (and dual business and law degrees), he’s also recently found a following for his madcap, young voter-friendly political commentary.
Below, Schlossberg breaks down five key points ahead of the debate.
Hi, I’m Jack Schlossberg. Here’s what I’m thinking ahead of Thursday’s presidential debate. Enjoy!
1. Debates Are Great
Debates are an ancient sport and a great American tradition—they’ve changed the course of campaigns, and of history.
The first live TV debate was in 1960, when JFK’s winning smile and Florida tan outshined Nixon’s sweaty 5 o’clock shadow. It was an instant hit—since then, live TV debates have spread to democracies around the world. Nothin’ better than watching people fight, don’t you think?
Debates matter. Just ask Obama, whose first debate against Romney nearly ended his campaign. Or Donald Trump, whose first debate against Hillary Clinton earned the highest ratings ever.
2. The Thrilla in HotLanta
Debates aren’t required, they’re voluntary. Everything is negotiated beforehand by the candidates. Here’s the layout:
First, Trump and Biden agreed to do it, so let’s take the win.
Second, it’s tomorrow, June 27 at 9 p.m, hosted by CNN and moderated by Dana Bash and Jake Tapper.
Third, expect 90 minutes with two commercial breaks. Podiums, not seats. No audience or props. Positive vibes only (jk lol).
3. Where’s Everyone Else?
BREAKING: There was a conspiracy to exclude third-party candidates. But it wasn’t the deep state, the Illuminati, or Sandra Bullock, despite what everyone’s saying.
Instead, it was a set of pre-existing and objective criteria published and agreed to beforehand. Biden and Trump are the only candidates that met the two-part test: (1) 15%+ support in national polls, and (2) the ability to win sufficient (270) electoral college votes to be elected president.