Politics
CNN is sharing its presidential debate with rivals. But there are strings attached
CNN’s deal to produce the first debate of the 2024 presidential election cycle is a major coup for the news network. It won’t let viewers forget it.
The scheduled June 27 showdown between the presumptive nominees, President Biden and former President Trump, is the first time in history that a single TV network has landed exclusive rights to present a general election debate.
The first presidential debate in 2020 between the same two candidates attracted an audience of 73 million viewers, making it one of the last mass audience experiences left in a highly fragmented TV landscape. It’s a much-needed win for the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned news network that has been racked by executive shakeups, budget cuts and declining ratings in recent years.
And CNN isn’t going to let such a stature-building opportunity go to waste. Instead of the blue background showing the constitution, as seen in previous presidential debates, viewers will see the red CNN logo. The event will provide a major platform for CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, who will serve as moderators at the network’s studio in Atlanta.
But the potential for blockbuster ratings on CNN will be mitigated by the network’s decision to provide a feed of its production to other networks and digital outlets. CNN is making the offer as a public service. Every presidential debate held since 1960 has aired commercial free across the major broadcast networks and, in later years, on cable news outlets.
So, in order to maximize the opportunity the debate offers, CNN is putting restrictions on the use of the simulcast, right down to what it should be called. A list of conditions has gone out to outlets interested in carrying the event, according to several executives who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
The CNN’s on-screen logo — or “bug,” as its often called — must appear throughout the simulcast, according to the network’s conditions. Other networks can put their bugs on the screen as well, but they can’t obscure CNN’s graphic.
CNN is also requiring other outlets to refer to the event as the “CNN Presidential Debate.” If a network runs any on-air promotions or advertising for the telecast, it must be referred to as the “CNN Presidential Debate Simulcast” and use artwork provided by CNN. In program guides and TV listings, it must be called “Simulcast: CNN Presidential Debate.”
In a break with the tradition of having general presidential debates proceed ad-free, there will be two commercial breaks in the 90-minute showdown, each running 3 1/2 minutes. Outlets running the simulcast can put their own commercials and promos in the breaks or run the spots sold by CNN.
However, other networks cannot insert their own anchors and commentators during the breaks or any other portion of the telecast — only before and after the event. Squeezing back the image of the debate stage onscreen so a pundit or rival anchor can chime in will be forbidden. Outlets that violate the terms will lose the right to carry the feed.
As of Friday, rival network executives said they were pushing back on some of CNN’s requirements. Some networks may choose not to promote the simulcast on their air if they are forced to mention CNN every time.
A CNN representative confirmed the network’s requirements for the rights to the simulcast, noting that they are being requested in return for covering the full cost of the production.
“CNN is unilaterally producing this debate, and that requires transparency with viewers and a substantial investment of resources,” the representative said. “CNN will provide the debate for free on CNN.com and make it available across a wide variety of news sources in order to reach as many Americans as possible.”
While no formal announcements have been made, all of the major networks and news channels are expected to carry the debate, according to several executives at CNN’s competitors. The networks need to commit several days before the event so it can be listed in electronic programming guides and TV listings.
Mark Lukasiewicz, a former NBC News executive who is now dean of the journalism school at Hofstra University, said he believes the CNN requirements are a reasonable trade-off for a simulcast that other networks can run with their own commercials.
“I think this is a very fair arrangement,” said Lukasiewicz, who worked on several debates while at NBC. “It’s a good model if this how the networks do the debates going forward. I hope they take CNN up on this offer so the debate is seen as widely as possible.”
CNN raised its hand after the Biden and Trump campaigns decided not to go through the Commission on Presidential Debates, the nonpartisan group that has overseen the events since 1988, setting the rules and choosing the venues and moderators. One of the major networks would provide cameras and other technical assistance but had no influence on the production.
The Biden and Trump campaigns agreed to two head-to-head match-ups, one on CNN and the other on Walt Disney Co.’s ABC on Sept. 10, which will be moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis. Vice President Kamala Harris has agreed to a debate Trump’s still-to-be-determined running mate on CBS.
As he fights for his political life, House Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Bob Good of Virginia is facing off against a primary challenger supported by the most powerful politician in the Republican Party – former President Trump.
And the contentious intra-party battle in Virginia’s reliably red 5th Congressional District, in the southern part of the Commonwealth, is pitting conservatives versus conservatives and Trump against some of his biggest allies in the House of Representatives.
It’s one of the high-profile races on Tuesday as Virginia and Oklahoma hold primary elections.
And if Good loses, he’ll become the first House incumbent from either major party to be defeated by a primary challenger so far this election year.
FOX NEWS POLL: BIDEN, TRUMP IN A DEAD HEAT IN VIRGINIA
Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks alongside fellow members during a press conference on the government funding bill, at the U.S. Capitol on March 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Good incurred Trump’s wrath for being one of just a handful of House Republicans to endorse Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the GOP presidential primaries.
Even though the two-term congressman avoided criticizing Turmp and quickly endorsed the former president after DeSantis ended his White House bid in January, Trump wrote on this Truth Social platform that “the damage had been done!”
Trump last month endorsed John McGuire, a Virginia state senator and former Navy SEAL, who is challenging Good for the GOP nomination.
McGuire also has the backing of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a conservative firebrand and major Trump ally who is a vocal critic of Good who last year broke with the House Freedom Caucus, which is considered the most far-right group of lawmakers in the chamber.
Then-Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, as he was ousted as House Speaker. (Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is also targeting Good, who was one of eight Republicans last autumn who joined with Democrats to vote to oust McCarthy from his leadership position.
But Good has the support of Reps. Matt Gaetz and Byron Donalds of Florida, two conservatives who are also strong backers of Trump.
And fellow House Freedom Caucus members, Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Andy Biggs of Arizona, joined Good in Virginia for a rally on Friday.
Even though he’s being targeted by Trump, Good is spotlighting his support for the former president as he runs for re-election.
“Happy Birthday to the best and next president of the United States, President Trump!” Good wrote on social media on Friday, on the former president’s 78th birthday.
Good also showed up earlier this spring at Trump’s criminal trial in New York City, to show his support for the former president.
In Virginia’s Republican Senate primary, Trump is supporting Navy veteran Hung Cao.
Cao faces Scott Parkinson, who has endorsements from Good and other GOP members of Congress. Three other candidates are also vying for the Republican nomination, with the winner challenging Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine in November.
Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) arrives to a caucus meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill May 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
In Oklahoma, the race to watch is in the red-state’s 4th Congressional District, where 10-term Republican Rep. Tom Cole is facing a primary challenge from wealthy businessman Paul Bondar.
Cole, the chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, has spent over $3 million as he fights for re-nomination. But Bondar, a first time candidate who made his money in the insurance industry, has shelled out nearly $5 million to try and unseat Cole, who has Trump’s backing.
There are three other candidates on the primary ballot, and if no one tops 50%, there will be a runoff with the two leading contenders in August.
Fox News’ Matt Reidy contributed to this report
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
A galaxy of political and entertainment stars (of various wattage) arrived Saturday night at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater for a gala fundraiser for President Biden’s reelection campaign.
Here’s a rundown of some of those who attended the event, which is expected to raise at least $28 million:
First Lady Jill Biden
Former President Obama
Julia Roberts
George Clooney
Barbra Streisand
Paul Anka
Kathy Griffin
Jeffrey Katzenberg
Bryan Lourd
Richard Lovett
Jimmy Kimmel
Jack Black
Kathryn Hahn
Jason Bateman
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Gov. Gavin Newsom
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles)
Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-Norwalk)
Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D-N.H.)
Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village)
Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara)
Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Indio)
Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside)
Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Pacoima)
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego)
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach)
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance)
Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-San Pedro)
L.A. Councilmember Kevin de León
L.A. Councilmember Curren Price
People wait in line to attend President Biden’s fundraiser at the Peacock Theater.
(Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times)
Thousands of Biden supporters paid between $250, for a seat far from the stage, and $500,000 — for a ticket package that includes prime seats, photos with both presidents and a VIP after-party.
Politics
Secret Service agent robbed at gunpoint during President Biden's trip to Southern California
A Secret Service agent was robbed at gunpoint in California over the weekend, according to local law enforcement. It happened at the same time President Biden was in California for a star-studded Los Angeles fundraiser.
On Saturday, June 15, just after 9:30 p.m., the Tustin Police Department said officers responded to a call about a possible robbery that happened at the Tustin Fields 1 residential community.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim was a member of the Secret Service and that his bag was stolen at gunpoint.
During the incident, police said an agent-involved shooting happened.
HOLLYWOOD SLAMMED FOR PUSHING YOUNG AMERICANS TO VOTE FOR BIDEN: ‘THE LAST THING MY GENERATION WANTS’
Police are searching for this car in connection to the robbery. (Tustin Police Department)
The suspect(s) were not found, and it is unknown at this time whether the suspect(s) was injured as a result of the incident, police said.
Officers found some of the victim’s belongings in the area and the incident is being investigated.
Police are looking for a 2004-2006 silver Infiniti FX35 or similar vehicle that was seen leaving the scene.
BIDEN CAMPAIGN RAISES $30 MILLION AT CELEBRITY FUNDRAISER AS TRUMP COURTS BLACK VOTERS IN DETROIT
A Secret Service agent was robbed at gunpoint in Tustin, California, on the same day President Biden was attending a star-studded Los Angeles fundraiser. (Getty Images)
Authorities said there is no known threat to the public.
The Tustin Police Department is looking for assistance from the public in identifying the subject(s) involved in the crime and are urging anyone with information to call 714-573-3372.
President Biden was in Los Angeles for a campaign fundraiser on Saturday night.
LATE-NIGHT DNCTV? COLBERT, KIMMEL FUNDRAISE FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN
President Biden speaks beside former President Obama during a campaign fundraiser at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 15, 2024. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Barbra Streisand were among those in attendance at the star-studded event, which reportedly raised more than $30 million.
Tickets for Saturday’s gala at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, which an invitation described as a “historic night,” ranged from $250 for a single person to get in the door to half a million dollars for special access, photos with Biden and former President Obama and invitations to an after-party.
The fundraiser comes less than three months after CBS’ Stephen Colbert participated in a lavish record-setting fundraiser that brought in $26 million for the Biden campaign.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser and Kristine Parks contributed to this report.
New Crime Lab Breaks Ground in Missouri – Correctional News
See Ya, Montana! Revealing The Most Popular Vacation Spots
Social media reacts to Malcolm Simpson committing to Nebraska
Port of Nevada adds rail service
New Hampshire USA TODAY 301 NASCAR Cup Series entry list
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Trump targets House Freedom Caucus chair in intra-party Republican primary feud
Concentration camp museum director joins campaign to ban AfD
The federal government puts warnings on tobacco and alcohol. Is social media next? : Consider This from NPR
Secret Service agent robbed at gunpoint during President Biden's trip to Southern California
Thailand’s complex Senate election at risk as court decision looms
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago‘Darkest Miriam’ Review: Britt Lower in a Marvel of a Drama About a Young Librarian’s Loves and Fears
-
Politics1 week agoGun group vows to 'defend' Trump's concealed carry license after conviction
-
Politics1 week agoShould Trump have confidence in his lawyers? Legal experts weigh in
-
Politics1 week agoGOP releases Jan. 6 clip of Pelosi saying 'I take responsibility' as she discussed National Guard absence
-
News1 week agoTrump to escalate blame on trial judge Juan Merchan if sentenced to prison
-
World1 week agoOrban party loses major support in Hungary's EU election
-
World1 week agoEU elections: Slovakia and Italy voting; Far-right surge expected
-
World1 week agoUkraine reconstruction official quits citing ‘systemic obstacles’