In a battle of mic drops and muted mics, President Biden and former President Trump will clash in the first 2024 presidential debate on June 27, hosted at CNN’s Atlanta headquarters.

In an unprecedented showdown, the first debate between a sitting president and a former president promises to be a spectacle, as President Biden and former President Trump spar on a muted mic stage without a live audience. Hosted by CNN, this 90-minute verbal slugfest will tackle pressing issues like Biden's age and Trump's criminal conviction. As the moderators play referee, the nation will tune in to see if either candidate can land a knockout punch—or if they'll just talk over each other again.

While the standard debate chaos is expected, CNN has introduced a novel twist to curb the cacophony: only the candidate whose turn it is to speak will have their microphone unmuted. Whether this will lead to more substantive exchanges or simply a series of uninterrupted diatribes remains to be seen.

The debate, starting at 9 p.m. ET, will be sandwiched between two commercial breaks, giving viewers a chance to catch their breath or prepare for the next round of rhetorical punches. Without a live audience, the candidates will have only the moderators, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, to impress—or antagonize.

Viewers can choose their favorite screen, as the debate will be broadcast on CNN and also streamed on USA TODAY's YouTube channel and on CBS, ensuring no one misses a second of the action. Given the historical viewership of Biden-Trump debates, all eyes will certainly be glued to the screens again. Just make sure to have some popcorn ready for the grand political showdown!

For this debate face-off, it's notable that neither Biden nor Trump participated in primary debates this cycle. This means the two haven't shared a stage since their contentious debates in 2020. The atmosphere is ripe for fresh jabs and perhaps some familiar verbal sparring.

The debate agenda is as loaded as a holiday dinner table. Topics such as Biden's age, which has been a frequent point of concern, the ongoing immigration crisis, inflation, and the contentious issue of abortion will be the main courses served up for dispute. One can almost hear the fork clinks—but let's hope it's not from knives being drawn.

This debate also marks a departure from tradition. It's the first presidential debate since 1988 to be organized without the oversight of the Commission on Presidential Debates. Who knows what might happen without the usual referees.

Biden, seeking a second term, and Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, are the only two candidates who qualified for the debate. Missing from the stage will be independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who didn't make the cut. So, don't expect any surprise guest stars jumping in.

Both candidates have been preparing for the big night in their characteristic styles. Biden has opted for the seclusion of Camp David, a retreat that offers both serenity and strong Wi-Fi for streaming debate prep videos. Trump, never one for quiet reflection, has been rallying his supporters, recently speaking to a crowd in Racine, Wisconsin.

The next round in this heavyweight bout is already scheduled. The second debate will be hosted by ABC News on September 10. The warring words won't be stopping any time soon, giving the American public plenty of popcorn-munching moments to look forward to.

For those who love a good post-game analysis, CBS will have you covered. They have a special report lined up right after the debate, hosted by Norah O'Donnell, promising to dissect every phrase, gesture, and gaffe with the precision of a seasoned chef carving a holiday turkey.

As the clock ticks down to 9 p.m. on June 27, tensions will surely rise, though perhaps not as high as the candidates' blood pressures. With seasoned moderators, a stage minus a live audience, and two candidates who don’t know how to pull a punch, it promises to be a debate unlike any other. Grab your snacks, find your favorite streaming service, and settle in for what will undoubtedly be an evening to remember—or perhaps, one they'd both rather forget.