8 things to watch for in CNN’s 2024 debate between Biden and Trump

CNN —

President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, are set to make history on CNN Thursday night as they meet for their first 2024 debate.

It’ll be the first time a president and former president have ever debated. And it’ll be the first time either man has been on a debate stage since their two clashes in 2020 — when Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic dominated the political landscape.

Thursday’s debate will be the earliest in the election cycle that a presidential debate featuring the major parties’ nominees has taken place in modern history.

Now, Biden — already the oldest president the United States has ever had — has his own record to scrutinize. And Trump has a criminal record — including his conviction in New York over falsifying business records related to hush money payments, two indictments stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and charges as a result of his handling of classified documents after leaving office. So does Biden’s son, Hunter, who was convicted on gun charges and is frequently a target of Trump and other Republicans.

The debate is taking place about three miles from where Trump posed for the first mugshot taken of an ex-president after he was charged with trying to meddle in Georgia’s 2020 vote count.

The 90-minute debate is set to start at 9 p.m. ET on CNN, with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash moderating. It will take place at the network’s studios in Atlanta, and there will be no audience.

Here are eight things to watch for in Thursday night’s debate:

What Trump focuses on: Biden’s record or his grievances

Those who haven’t yet fully tuned into the 2024 presidential race might be surprised by how backward-looking the former president’s most