The upcoming debate between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden will feature muted microphones and no live audience, modifications requested by Biden's campaign.
According to Breitbart News, the changes have sparked suspicions of bias due to the moderators' known criticism of Trump.
CNN recently demonstrated the muting system for the debate, explaining that one candidate's microphone will be silenced while the other is speaking. Each microphone has two green lights to signal when it is active. This system aims to make interruptions difficult to comprehend.
Biden's campaign requested the muting system to prevent interruptions from Trump. They also insisted on a debate without a live audience, as Biden prefers to avoid in-person reactions. The Biden campaign communicated these demands to the Commission on Presidential Debates.
The rationale for the no-audience policy is to benefit American voters watching from home rather than entertain an in-person audience. The New York Times confirmed that the request for no audience came directly from the Biden campaign. They believe that debates should prioritize the viewers at home, not an in-person crowd.
The moderators for the debate, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, have previously expressed criticisms of Trump, raising concerns about potential bias. Jake Tapper has made several negative remarks about Trump, including allegations of dishonesty and derogatory comments about his presidency. Similarly, Dana Bash has accused Trump of race-baiting, sexism, and being anti-science.
In a recent segment, CNN's Kasie Hunt cut off the microphone of Trump campaign national secretary Karoline Leavitt. This incident further fueled suspicions of bias against Trump.
The debate is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Eastern. After a coin toss, Biden will appear on the right side of the screen, and Trump will have the final closing remarks.
Critics argue that the choice of moderators could influence the debate's fairness. Jake Tapper's past statements, such as "For tens of millions of our fellow Americans, their long national nightmare is over," and his retweet of a post calling something "100% insane," highlight his critical stance toward Trump.
Likewise, Dana Bash's comments, including calling Trump's actions "outright lies" and labeling him as "sexist" and "anti-science," underscore her critical viewpoint. These concerns about bias have been a significant point of contention leading up to the debate.
The Biden campaign's request for muted microphones and no live audience aims to ensure a more orderly debate. By preventing interruptions and avoiding the influence of an in-person audience, they hope to create a more controlled environment for the candidates to present their positions.
The debate's modifications have stirred controversy, with critics questioning whether these changes could unfairly benefit Biden. Supporters argue that the measures are necessary to maintain decorum and focus on the issues at hand.
In conclusion, the upcoming debate between Trump and Biden will feature significant modifications, including muted microphones and the absence of a live audience, both of which Biden's campaign requested. These changes and concerns over moderator bias have created a charged atmosphere leading up to the event. As viewers tune in, the focus will be on how these adjustments influence the candidates' performances and the overall tone of the debate.
