The first of at least two presidential debates happened this week.
Who participated?
Presumptive Democratic nominee President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee former President Donald Trump accepted invitations to participate. Independent candidates, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or Jill Stein, did not meet the criteria for an invitation. Several independent candidates have threatened legal action over not being included.
Who moderated?
Long-time CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash served as moderators. Tapper joined CNN in 2012, while Bash has been with the network for over two decades.
Debate rules
According to CNN, moderators were allowed to mute the candidates' microphones during the debate when it was not the candidates' turn to speak.
Candidates were given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water, but they were not allowed to bring any prewritten notes or props with them to the stage, organizers said.
What was different about this debate?
For the first time since 1984, leading presidential candidates debated outside the auspices of the Commission on Presidential Debates. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns criticized the debate-organizing nonprofit for its format.
Instead, President Biden and Trump formalized agreements with CNN and ABC News allowing them to organize and simulcast two presidential debates. A vice presidential debate will also be organized by CBS News between Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump's yet-to-be-named running mate.
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