Former CNN Analyst Admits Network’s Debate Is RIGGED For Biden

With the first presidential debate just about two weeks away, the 90-minute showdown in Atlanta on June 27 will be a pivotal event in the campaign schedule for this year, as President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will be meeting for the first time since their debate in October 2020. The two will each have a two-minute slot to respond to questions, after which they will have one minute to counter and reply.

On Monday, former CNN political analyst Chris Cillizza mentioned that the rules of his former network’s upcoming presidential debate mostly favor Biden compared to Trump. “Rule number one: the mics for each candidate will be muted when it is not their turn to talk,” Cillizza explained.

“Now, there’s a part of me that’s like, ‘I don’t love this because it’s a debate.’ [The] most memorable and important parts of debates that I’ve seen in primaries and general elections almost always come in unscripted moments,” the former CNN analyst explained. “It clearly benefits Biden because if you go back and look at the debates they had in 2020 between Biden and Trump, Trump just talks and talks and talks and talks. And that’s true in 2016 to like he just over and over and over and over again, just talks. He — he interrupts, he bullies.”

“I do think it helps Biden because I think Trump just tries to get you off your pace, off your rhythm, off your game, right? Just by talking and talking and talking, talking. So that’s rule one, benefit Biden one. Okay, there will be two commercial breaks. So this is different,” Cillizza continued.

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Both Trump and Biden will see red lights indicating they have five seconds remaining, which will flash solid red when the time is up. Additionally, each candidate’s microphone will be silenced when it is the other’s turn to speak, according to The New York Times. Since their last debate, the former president has described Biden as the worst in the history of the United States. During their initial meeting four years back, Trump dominated the conversation. In response, Biden reprimanded him, asking, “Will you keep quiet?”

CNN reported this weekend:

The debate, which will be hosted by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash in Atlanta on June 27, will mark the first in-person showdown of the 2024 campaign between President Joe Biden and his predecessor, former President Donald Trump. Both candidates have accepted the network’s invitation and agreed to accept the rules and format of the debate, as outlined in letters sent to the campaigns by the network in May.

The 90-minute debate will include two commercial breaks, according to the network, and campaign staff may not interact with their candidate during that time.

Both candidates agreed to appear at a uniform podium, and their podium positions will be determined by a coin flip.

Microphones will be muted throughout the debate except for the candidate whose turn it is to speak. While no props or pre-written notes will be allowed on the stage, candidates will be given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water.

Some aspects of the debate – including the absence of a studio audience – will be a departure from previous debates. But, as in the past, the moderators “will use all tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion,” according to the network.