1. The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has become obsolete as candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump plan their own debate schedule.
2. The first debate is set to take place in Atlanta without a studio audience and exclusively on CNN platforms, breaking tradition.
3. Both sides have criticized the CPD for biased practices, with the RNC pulling out in 2022 and the Biden campaign refusing to participate in scheduled debates this year.
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) has been responsible for setting the locations, moderators, and formats for presidential debates for the past 37 years. However, presumptive presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump have decided to go around the CPD and plan their own debate schedule, starting with the earliest general election debate in US history on June 27 in Atlanta. This debate will be without a studio audience and will be broadcast exclusively on CNN platforms.
The CPD stated that it was established to ensure debates reach the widest television, radio, and streaming audience. They have planned hosting debate sites at locations of higher learning for 2024 debates to accommodate early voters. Despite this, Biden and Trump have made plans for debates outside of the CPD schedule, including a September 10 debate on ABC and two additional debates suggested by the Trump campaign in July and August.
Both Democrats and Republicans have criticized the CPD, with the RNC pulling out of the organization in 2022 and Biden’s campaign confirming they would not participate in scheduled debates this year. Criticisms include accusations of bias, hosting noisy and disruptive debates, and excluding third-party candidates. Despite having over $7.6 million in assets based on nonprofit tax information filed to the IRS in 2022, the CPD is facing a significant decline in support and participation from major party candidates.