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A Trump-Biden Debate Pre-Mortem

I chatted with some of the top operatives around town to get their honest read and predictions on tonight’s first, and possibly only, presidential debate. Here’s what people in this town are whispering under their breath.

donald trump joe biden debate
The debate is almost certain to break viewership ratings for the network, particularly given its various spellbinding cliffhangers. Photo: Jim Bourg/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Tara Palmeri
June 27, 2024

There’s a palpable enthusiasm in political circles, à la 2016, ahead of tonight’s historic presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump—the first time that a current and former Oval Office holder have engaged in televised battle about their competing visions for the nation. And given that this election season has coalesced around Trump’s legal headaches, the January 6 plot, Biden’s son’s own legal troubles, and questions about their advanced ages, tonight’s CNN debate promises to be dramatic, or at least less depressing than the rest of the cycle.