Just hours before the CNN presidential debate today, the USA men’s soccer team will play Panama in the Copa América tournament — taking place just three miles from the presidential debate studio at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The event will make history as the first debate between a sitting president and a former president.

After an explosive first debate in 2020, no one knows how the showdown between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump will shake out on Thursday.  The rematch four years later is unique for its timing: presidential debates usually happen in September and October, after the candidates have been formally nominated.  Trump could try to pin Biden for his age (81 years old) and issues related to inflation and immigration. Biden could also pull the age card on Trump, who is 78 years old. Plus, Biden is likely to press Trump on his criminal conviction and his stance on abortion.  Both candidates' microphones will be muted until it is their turn to speak, and they won't be allowed to interact with campaign staff during the two commercial breaks.  It will be an empty audience.  CNN moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper will be key players in the first presidential debate. CNN has rules in place that may keep the drama at bay, but the event could still lend insight into how the rest of the 2024 presidential election could unfold. The CNN Presidential Debate will begin at 8 p.m. Panama time or 9 p.m. ET at CNN’s studios in Atlanta Georgia.  For those without a cable subscription, the debate will be streaming on CNN.com   Hillary Clinton warned Biden about the Trump debate:  It won’t be a ‘normal’ TV faceoff she says.

Polls Show a Tight Race - No Clear Leader between Trump and Biden for Tonight’s Debate

The Biden team is also bracing for personal insults and attacks aimed at the president’s family. Debate preparations have included getting the president ready to respond to personal insults directed not only at the president himself, but his family, too. During the 2020 election debates, President Joe Biden would often bypass the moderators and his opponent and address the camera directly, attempting to reach voters through the lens and into their living room.  In real-time feedback from focus groups – known internally to campaigns as “dial testing” – the Biden team saw a noticeable spike in favorability during those moments, according to sources familiar with data, indicating that viewers were moved by the direct appeal during debates. Emma, a nurse, said she might watch if she gets off work in time, but feels it’s been hard to keep up with election news amid the caustic political discourse. She says she’ll be supporting President Joe Biden in November but has some concerns about the age of both candidates.  “I wish we had somebody who was a little bit on the younger side, who could relate a little bit more to my age group,” she said. 

The owner of a barbershop in Atlanta said he will be watching the CNN presidential debate on Thursday as he weighs who to vote for in November.  Former President Donald Trump called into his campaign’s Black Business Leaders Roundtable at Rocky’s Barbershop on Wednesday and answered questions from people in the community in attendance.  Rocky Jones, who has owned the shop since 2008, said it is a place where people “talk about everything — from sports to politics to hospitals, injuries, crime. And everybody’s welcome. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion.”  Jones told reporters following the roundtable event that he is undecided about who to vote for. Jones said the call from Trump during the event “was impressive.”  “Trump is saying great things and he’s making a lot of sense. Let’s see what happens. He’s definitely getting more Black people on his side,” Jones said. “It’s not about a color. It’s not about Black or white. It’s just about who’s helping you. Who’s making your business grow?”  He said he will be tuning into the CNN debate between Trump and President Joe Biden because he feels “change has to happen.”  Former President Donald Trump again claimed Wednesday that his various indictments, court cases, conviction in the Manhattan hush money trial, as well as the image of his mug shot, have strengthened his appeal to Black and Hispanic voters with support going “through the roof.”  Trump made the remarks hosted at Rocky’s Barbershop in Atlanta.  RFK failed to qualify for the debate.  The second debate is scheduled for Sept. 10, hosted by ABC.