How the mute button will work in tonight’s Biden-Trump debate – vopbuzz
CNN’s debate night control room will turn off the candidates’ microphones when it is not their turn to speak.
How will the mute button work?
There will be two green lights behind the podiums to indicate the microphones are on. When the lights are off, the microphone is muted. CNN showed how the mute button will work and how viewers will see it on their screens. When one candidate speaks, the other’s microphone is muted, and if the second candidate interrupts the first candidate, their voice will not reach the audience, they will only be seen making facial expressions.
But because they stand only 2.5 metres apart at the podiums, they will hear each other even if they are quiet.
In the demo video, CNN reiterated that both campaigns have agreed to abide by these rules. “By agreeing to participate in this debate, both campaigns and candidates have agreed to abide by these rules,” CNN said.
The network said there will be two commercial breaks during the 90-minute debate and campaign staff will not be able to interact with their candidates during the break. The second debate between Biden and Trump is scheduled to air on ABC in September.
CNN moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, who have been accused by Trump’s campaign of spreading fake news against Trump, will use “every tool at their disposal” to ensure a civil discussion.
The debate will begin at 9 p.m. and last 90 minutes — with only two commercial breaks. That’s a normal length for a presidential debate, but the ad breaks are notable: Past general election debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates and not sponsored by an individual news organization have had no ad breaks. Candidates won’t be allowed to talk to their aides during commercial breaks, but they will have time to breathe and recover in a way they might not have had in years past.
