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UPDATES: U.S. presidential debate in Atlanta
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From city preparations to the debate broadcast, GPB reporters have the latest news about the first presidential debate of the 2024 election season.
The debate will broadcast live from CNN's Midtown Atlanta studios (and will air on GPB TV and stream on GPB's website on June 27 at 9 p.m. EDT) and is not open to the public or a studio audience.
Follow along as we report about debate-related events around Atlanta in the lead-up to Thursday's debate — and check back for updates during and after the broadcast.
Please note: Atlanta will experience several road closures throughout the day and evening of June 27. Follow @cityofatlanta on X and the Atlanta Police Department for updates.
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Friday, June 28
12:30 a.m. (Final post of this blog)
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden visit a Cobb Parkway Waffle House as their final stop of the night before boarding Air Force One for a 12:45 a.m. departure.
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Thursday, June 27
11:20 p.m.
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden visit Atlanta watch party after debate
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden stopped at the Georgia Democratic party’s debate watch party at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta after the debate. He took photos with supporters. Some supporters said they are focused on his record, not his debate performance.
Meanwhile, former President Trump headed to a fundraiser held by former U.S. Representative Kelley Loeffler.
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10:49 p.m.
The Associated Press summarizes presidential debate
"A raspy President Joe Biden repeatedly sought to confront Donald Trump in their first debate ahead of the November election, as his Republican rival countered Biden's criticism by leaning into falsehoods about the economy, illegal immigration and his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection," the AP wrote.
"The debate came at a pivotal juncture in their unpopular presidential rematch, a critical moment to make their cases before a national television audience. Biden's uneven performance risked crystallizing voter concerns that at age 81 he is too old to serve as president, while Trump's rhetoric offered a perhaps unwelcome reminder of the bombast he launched daily during his tumultuous four years in office."
And check out PBS News Hour's live fact-check of what both Trump and Biden said during the debate.
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10:30 p.m.
GPB's Pamela Kirkland reported from Midtown Atlanta for a segment on PBS about the presidential debate on June 27, 2024.
The first debate of 2024 between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will be held Thursday in Atlanta, moderated by CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. Following the debate, anchors Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett hosted on-air special analysis from GPB's Pamela Kirkland.
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9 p.m. debate begins
CLICK HERE TO WATCH the presidential debate live on GPB-TV.
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8:45 p.m.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is streaming his own version of the presidential debate on X
The independent politician provided his own commentary atop a live stream of the CNN debate:
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8:33 p.m.
CNN announces Melania Trump will not attend the debate
Per CNN, former first lady Melania Trump will not attend tonight's debate. First lady Jill Biden is at the debate site and may join President Joe Biden on camera after the conclusion of the debate.
8:20 p.m.
CNN's Erin Burnett interviews California Gov. Gavin Newsom inside the Spin Room
The Democratic California governor joined a long list of Biden and Trump surrogates who spoke with CNN at Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion this afternoon and evening, including Republicans Ben Carson and Ralph Reed, and Democratic U.S. Senator from Minnesota, Amy Klobuchar.
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7:40 p.m.
Demonstrators and supporters gather on streets and overpasses near debate site
At around 7:30 p.m. on the east side of the interstate, a pro-Palestinian protest was taking place on 10th Street in Midtown Atlanta, a few blocks from the site of the presidential debates.
– Amanda Andrews, GPB News
At 7:15 p.m., a small group gathered at the corner of 14th Street and Techwood Dr. in Midtown Atlanta. There are Trump supporters on one side and a handful of people with “Protect women’s bodies” signs on the other.
– Pamela Kirkland, GPB News
At around 7 p.m., Trump supporters gathered on the 14th Street overpass in Midtown Atlanta, waving flags and chanting as cars drove on Interstate 75/85 below them.
Former Trump White House staffer Dan Scavino posted a video of the crowd as Trump's motorcade passed by:
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6 p.m.
Copa América international soccer tournament kicks off at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium ahead of debate
While CNN's Midtown Atlanta studios are still preparing for the presidential debate which airs at 9 p.m., a crowd of more than 50,000 is expected to gather at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to watch the United States Men's National Team take on Panama at the Copa America international soccer tournament. GPB's Jon Nelson reported from the stadium about the traffic, congestion and rainstorm which have compounded upon road closures and motorcades carrying Biden and Trump to CNN.
”As the match was getting ready to start, there were over 50k tickets sold and it’s a late arriving crowd," Nelson said just before the start of play. "I estimate only 30k in seats right now: the motorcade shutdowns and the rain could both be a factor.”
The soccer match is expected to end by 8:30 p.m., minutes before the debate begins. Traffic will continue to be heavy throughout the evening due to congestion and road closures.
The presidential debate is not open to the public. The debate will broadcast live from CNN's Midtown Atlanta studios (and will air on GPB TV and stream on GPB's website on June 27 at 9 p.m. EDT).
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5:25 p.m.
Former president Donald Trump lands at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Trump arrived in his branded company plane at 5:21 p.m. A group of supporters chanted his name before he emerged from the aircraft. Trump descended the stairs alone and waved to supporters without speaking and got into his awaiting vehicle.
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5:14 p.m.
Update from the press pool traveling with President Biden
"I’m at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Atlanta, where President Biden is in a closed door meeting," GPB's Sarah Kallis reported. "Biden touched down just after 3 p.m. and some of his supporters, including Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens, Ambassador Andrew Young, and Stacey Abrams welcomed him to Georgia. He greeted a group of a few dozen supporters outside the hotel before heading inside. Now we’re just waiting, and he’ll head to the debate next."
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4 p.m.
President Biden greets supporters in downtown Atlanta
GPB's Sarah Kallis reports:
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3:16 p.m.
Journalists arrive at Georgia Tech to cover presidential debate
Georgia Tech president Ángel Cabrera posted photos of journalists inside the "Thrillerdome," a.k.a. McCamish Pavilion, home court of the GT Yellow Jackets men's and women's basketball teams.
"There's no debate, the Thrillerdome is the place to be tonight!" Cabrera tweeted. "1,000 journalists from 170 countries for the biggest political event! Thanks to our
@CNN neighbors for the partnership (only, I'd have preferred a lot less red)."
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3:05 p.m.
Air Force One lands at Dobbins Air Reserve base in Marietta
Among those on the tarmac to greet President Biden are Jason Carter, Ambassador Andrew Young, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Stacey Abrams and advisor Keisha Lance-Bottoms.
– Sarah Kallis, GPB News
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10:41 a.m.
NABJ asks CNN to credential Black outlets ahead of debate
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is asking CNN to consider credentialing local Black press ahead of tonight’s presidential debate.
The Atlanta Voice reported on Wednesday that the outlet had not been credentialed for debate coverage and was unaware of a June 7 deadline to request credentials.
The organization also reported that it had been admitted to a press pool which did not guarantee entrance into the debate venue.
"Joe Biden’s campaign team has made a strong effort to include Black publications in their events, acknowledging the significant influence of Black voters in the election and the challenges faced by Black publications. It’s important to note that while The Atlanta Voice will be in the presidential press pool, it does not guarantee entrance or access to the debate," Atlanta Voice reporter Chia Suggs wrote Thursday morning.
In a statement, CNN told NABJ that more than 800 journalists from around the world will be covering the debate onsite and could not accept additional requests.
In a statement released Thursday morning, NABJ requested CNN “create space to ensure fair and balanced coverage so that all citizens have access to real-time content from the debate.”
“CNN is hosting the debate in a place that is commonly called the “Black Mecca” of the U.S. because of the rich and influential Black culture there. It is critical to ensure Black-owned and operated media are present and have prime placement to record, create, and share content for their audiences,” the statement went on to say.
– Pamela Kirkland, GPB News
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10 a.m.
LISTEN: Voters sound off ahead of debate
President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump are facing off in Atlanta for the first presidential debate of 20-24. GPB’s SarahKallis spoke to voters about what they want to hear from the candidates.
Jake Elvis Reynolds is an undecided voter from Woodstock. He says he’ll be tuning into the debate to help choose a candidate.
“I'm on the fence because this is a very very important election with the direction of our country. There’s a lot of things that myself, as well as the American People have question marks about.”
Reynolds says the national debt and economy are his priorities.Trump and Biden are facing off for their third debate, since running against each other in 2020. This time, around they have agreed to have their microphones muted when it is not their turn to speak.
The debate starts at nine tonight and is expected to last an hour and a half.
– Sarah Kallis, GPB News
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6 a.m.
City of Atlanta continues traffic alert
With the presidential debate in midtown Atlanta and the Copa America soccer tournament downtown at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the City of Atlanta has released guidance for Thursday, June 27, including street closures:
- 10th Street closure from State Street to Spring Street;
- Fowler Street closure from 6th Street to 10th Street beginning late Wednesday night through midnight on Thursday;
- Other road closures will happen as President Biden arrives to Midtown from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta and former president Donald Trump arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
The city advises residents to plan ahead for extra travel time in Atlanta and if attending an event in town, to allow extra time to secure parking (note: the presidential debate is NOT open to the public).
Public transit is open.
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Wednesday, June 26
5 p.m.
Former U.S. Housing Secretary Ben Carson makes appearance with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds at barbershop in Buckhead
On Wednesday, the Trump campaign held an event at Rocky’s barbershop in Buckhead as the former president’s campaign doubles down on courting Black voters in Georgia.
U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds (R-NY) and Wesley Hunt (R-TX) moderated the roundtable conversation with Black business owners, conservative voices, and former Secretary of HUD Ben Carson. They were joined by the owner of the barbershop, Latron Price, owner of Refrigerated Warehouse, and Marc Boyd, founder of youth nonprofit, Helping Empower Youth.
88% of Black voters cast ballots for Biden’s campaign in Georgia in 2020. But recent polling shows that Black support for Biden has softened.
This event was meant to encourage Black Georgians to take a look at Trump. A slice of the electorate that could potentially decide the election statewide — and nationally. The Trump campaign hopes that peeling off a slice of Black votes from Biden would be enough to win Georgia for Trump.
“That’s why Byron and I are here,” Hunt said.
Trump called into the event briefly to tout the previous administration’s work to cut taxes, criminal justice reform, and increased funding for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
– Pamela Kirkland, GPB News
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7:10 a.m.
As anticipation builds for the presidential debate, Atlanta students and business owners speak out
As Atlanta gears up to host this year’s first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, a sense of calm anticipation pervades the city before Thursday's expected bustle. With the pressure of the election season mounting, Georgia residents are keenly preparing for the candidates' statements.
– Mira Donaldson, GPB News
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Tuesday, June 25
3:15 p.m.
Sen. Jon Ossoff, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and state Sen. Jason Esteves attend small business roundtable in Castleberry Hill
She Salon owner Gigi Palmer was joined by Biden supporters and state and federal officials at a roundtable discussion hosted in her salon.
– Sarah Kallis, GPB News
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Monday, June 24
Noon
Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks at Biden campaign event in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward
In the week leading up to the debate between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump, the Biden campaign has more than 200 events planned in Georgia.
On Monday, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Rep. Shea Roberts, and television personality Padma Lakshmi spoke at a Biden event marking the second anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that overruled Roe v. Wade.
The event focused on to the impact of women’s reproductive rights and abortion access under a second Trump term.
The former mayor talked about Georgia’s abortion ban, starting around six weeks, and how it is impacting women’s decisions about where to go to college.
“There are young men and young women across the country today who are making decisions not to come to school in Georgia because of this abortion ban,” she said. “I don't think anybody wants to make have to make that choice, but they want it to be their choice.”
She also spoke about her own experiences going through IVF and how difficult it would have been if Trump were in office.
“I cannot begin to imagine during what was the most emotionally, physically taxing period of my life. Then having to think about what the law would have to say about it," she explained.
– Pamela Kirkland, GPB News
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