CNN unveils Trump v. Biden debate rules... and one regulation appears to target the ex-president

The host of the first presidential debate of 2024 general election season has released new details on the rules for what could be the most consequential political event of the year, and one of those regulations appears to take direct aim at Donald Trump.

In a new step since Trump and President Biden came face-to-face during the last presidential election, microphones will be muted throughout the debate except when it is a candidate's turn to speak. 

The decision to mute mics comes after the presidential debates in 2020 went off the rails at times with Trump speaking over Biden to the point where past moderates had to step in to little avail.

Now, CNN is attempting to keep the candidates from turning the showdown into a free-for-all when they face off in Atlanta in less than two weeks on June 27.  

According to the network, both candidates agreed to appear at a uniform podium. Their positions at the podium will be determined by a coin flip. 

Additionally, no props or pre-written notes will be allowed on the stage, but candidates will be given a pen, pad of paper and bottle of water.   

CNN releases details on rules for its debate in Atlanta on June 27 including muting mics when it is not a candidate's turn to speak and not allowing props

The debate in the battleground state is the first of two presidential debates that will be held before the November election. 

The 90-minute debate in Atlanta will include two commercial breaks during which Biden and Trump will not be able to interact with their staff. 

CNN previously revealed it would be moderated by anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. 

The two veteran anchors will will have their job cut out for them as they attempt to keep the hostile candidates on track as Trump and Biden have both lashed out ahead of the much anticipated event. 

Donald Trump and Joe Biden at their second debate on October 22, 2020 in Nashville, TN

According to CNN, Tapper and Bash will also 'use al tools at their disposal to enforce timing and ensure a civilized discussion.' 

 How successful those efforts will be remains to be seen. 

Trump and Biden have been lobbing constant and sometimes extremely attacks on one another since the very start of the campaign season. 

The ex-president has a habit of mocking Biden during his campaign rallies and pretending to be confused while mimicking the president while at the podium. He has demanded drug tests before the debate. 

Biden has also taken aim at Trump over his criminal conviction, criminal charges and for the attack on the U.S. Capitol. 

Trump had been putting a debate podium on stage at his rallies for Biden and his campaign had been printing out a series of Truth Social posts challenging Biden to debate before Biden released his own video

Biden released a video announcing he would debate Trump. He said 'make my day pal, I'll even do it twice' and challenging the ex-president 'let's pick the dates, Donald'

While Biden and Trump are presumptive party presidential nominees, it does not appear that third party candidates will qualify for the debate stage. 

To meet CNN's qualifications, candidates must appear on a necessary number of state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold to win the presidency and receive at least 15 percent in four separate national polls with standards outlined by the network. 

 The move would appear to leave Independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. off the stage on June 27. 

While Kennedy is working to get on the ballot in all 50 states, he has only officially gotten on the ballot in just over a handful of states to date but claims it has collected enough signatures to get on the ballot in more. 

He also appears to be just shy of the necessary polling requirement. 

Based on the outlined requirements, it does not appear Independent candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. will make the debate stage on June 27

Trump and Biden have been touting the much anticipated event during appearances and their campaigns have been gunning for the showdown. 

Biden's team has said the president is ready to take his predecessor to task on the issues including abortion rights which has been galvanizing for Democrats as well as highlight Trump's agenda. 

Trump's campaign has regularly shrugged off questions about debate prep and aides have pointed to his regular appearances for more than an hour at a time speaking at rallies. 

As for his part, Trump has regularly brought up the looming debate while bashing CNN before his loyal supporters. He has raised questions over whether the debate will be fair.

While his attacks on the debate host and his opponent may help Trump decry the outcome before it even takes place, some of his GOP supporters have raised concerns that Trump's attacks on Biden's performance could set the bar too low for the president when he shows up in Atlanta. 

Both the Biden and Trump campaigns agreed to the CNN debate last month. ABC News will host the other presidential debate in September.