President Joe Biden won CNN’s pre-debate coin toss on Thursday, giving his camp the choice between selecting his podium position and choosing the order for closing statements in next week’s debate. With Biden opting to reserve the stage-right podium, former President Donald Trump selected to speak last, giving him the final word at the event.
As reported by the Hill, the coin toss—in which Biden had selected tails—went to the incumbent. During the June 27th debate, Biden’s podium will be positioned stage left, appearing on the right side from the audience’s perspective.
Learn the benefits of becoming a Valuetainment Member and subscribe today!
The debate will be conducted in strict adherence to several controversial rules predetermined by CNN and agreed to by both candidates. These include:
- Only two commercial breaks during the 90-minute debate
- Campaign staff will not be able to interact with their candidate during the break
- No opening statements
- Two-minute answer shot clock, one minute for rebuttals
- Mics will be muted when it is not a candidate’s turn to speak
At the end of the debate, each candidate will deliver a two-minute closing statement. Per the results of the coin toss, Trump will speak last—a coveted position that gives him the last word in the debate with the ability to respond to Biden’s own statement.
The debate will not include Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who failed to meet CNN’s requirements to participate. In response to Kennedy’s exclusion, a small group of Independents began protesting outside of CNN’s New York headquarters on Friday, demanding that the third-party voice be heard.
The first presidential debate hosted by CNN will air live from Atlanta on June 27th at 9:00 p.m. EST.
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
Got a hot scoop or an idea for a story? Connect with the VT writers on Minnect!
Add comment