Debate format plays to Trump's strengths: Lies unchallenged, Biden uninterrupted
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The format of Thursday's presidential debate allowed former President Trump to spew falsehoods without real-time fact-checking, and arguably made matters worse for President Biden as his rambling answers went on uninterrupted.
Why it matters: CNN's debate may be remembered as a turning point in the 2024 election, with Biden's fitness to serve another four years now being openly questioned even by some allies.
Zoom in: Muted mics made it difficult for Trump to interrupt Biden, which made him appear more measured than in previous debates.
- Both campaigns agreed to that lower-interruption format, but it didn't seem to help the president as his lack of energy and clarity came into sharper focus.
- Under other formats, the debate could have turned into a quickfire sparring match with two candidates and two moderators all interjecting and a crowd roaring.
- Instead there was an orderly, if combative, conversation, with all the focus on the candidate's answers and not on the moderators.
That's exactly what CNN was hoping for.
- CNN CEO Mark Thompson told Axios on a panel last week that he wanted "an absolutely classic debate," akin to the historic first television debate ever between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960.
- Heading into the debate, a CNN spokesperson told Axios, the moderators "are not participants in the debate. They are facilitators."
- Frank Luntz, a prominent pollster, said focus group participants of undecided voters lauded the debate moderators as unbiased and thoughtful.
Between the lines: While they did intend to fact-check major inaccuracies, moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash didn't plan to correct minor details in real time on air, such as inaccurate figures, the spokesperson added.
- Fact-checking of smaller details, as well as major falsehoods, occurred in real time on CNN's digital properties and on air immediately following the debate.
- A CNN post-debate analysis found 30 falsehoods from Trump to nine for Biden.
- But for Americans who tuned in on television during the event only, Trump's repeated falsehoods were hardly disputed.
- CNN's format gave viewers an opportunity to watch the candidates have an unfiltered exchange for 90 minutes — over which time Biden's energy levels seemed to wax and wane.
What's next: It's unclear after Thursday's performance whether Biden will participate in the next presidential debate, slated to air on ABC in September.
Go deeper: Trump dodges question on accepting election results.
Editor's note: Axios' Sara Fischer is a CNN contributor.
