CNN Anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash to Moderate First 2024 Presidential Debate

CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the first presidential debate of the 2024 election between President Biden and former President Trump, just as they offered blunt assessments of the chaotic first debate between the pair in 2020.

"That was a hot mess inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck...It was a disgrace and it's primarily because of President Trump." - Jake Tapper

"You just took the words out of my mouth...that was a s---show." - Dana Bash

The first presidential debate of 2020 was marked by frequent interruptions, with Biden telling Trump to "shut up," and Trump infamously failing to denounce white supremacy groups. Tapper and Bash were stunned, like many political pundits, and did not hold back in their post-debate coverage.

Despite accusations of bias from Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, CNN has defended its choice of moderators, saying:

"There are no two people better equipped to co-moderate a substantial and fact-based discussion."

The 2024 debate will occur without an audience, and the candidates' microphones will be muted when it's not their turn to speak—an effort to avoid the chaos of 2020.

With experienced political journalists Tapper and Bash at the helm, the first presidential debate of this election cycle is expected to be a more orderly affair.

About the Moderators:

• Dana Bash is CNN's chief political correspondent, anchoring "Inside Politics" and co-anchoring "State of the Union." She has moderated numerous political town halls and debates, including two in the 2020 election and six in 2016. Bash is a graduate of The George Washington University and has a forthcoming book, America's Deadliest Election.

• Jake Tapper is CNN's lead anchor for Washington, D.C. events, hosting "The Lead" and the "State of Union" Sunday show. He has moderated presidential debates in the past, including a 2015 GOP debate and the final 2020 Democratic debate between Biden and Sanders. Tapper is a graduate of Dartmouth College and has authored several books.