The long-awaited first face-off between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden is finally here. Then presidential adversaries will finally share a stage tonight – and for 90-minutes, they’ll have their first real opportunity to face the American people. It will be the first of three scheduled debates.
There will be no opening statements, no handshakes – and the first question will go to Mr. Trump. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess what we’ll witness. While both men have joked about their level of preparations – one thing is guaranteed: with a number of polls having Biden well ahead, the gloves will be off.
Trump has confirmed that former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani have been playing Biden in rehearsals.
Biden has been preparing at his home in Delaware and virtually with his top campaign officials and advisors.
Someone trying to prepare, but really flying blind? The city of Cleveland, who is hosting the event. Protests are expected and Mayor Frank Jackson says the National Guard has been brought in to also make sure protests are handled in a peaceful way. Chief of Police Calvin Williams said the significance of the debate can't be underscored and they have worked with federal, state and local partners to ensure it will be conducted in a safe manner.
The event will air across various networks beginning at 9pm ET.
Source: Reuters