CNN revealed its microphone muting rules Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s first 2024 presidential debate.
In a deviation from tradition, CNN debate moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper will be able to mute the microphones of Trump and Biden. CNN anchor Victor Blackwell appeared behind the podium on the right of the debate stage, where he demonstrated how muted microphones will appear to viewers and both candidates.
“If we go behind the podiums, you can see two green lights. When they’re on, they signal to the candidate his microphone is on. When the green lights are off, they signal to the candidate his microphone is off,” Blackwell explained.
Two green lights were first shown glowing beside the microphone on the white podium. The CNN anchor then demonstrated what it looks like when the lights turn off as the microphone is muted.
“Now I want to give you a sense of what it will look like for viewers at home if a candidate whose microphone is off interrupts a candidate whose microphone is on,” Blackwell said. “So, I’m standing at one podium, and I’ll ask Phil to come in and take the other podium.”
CNN will mute mics at the upcoming presidential debate to stop candidates from speaking over each other.
Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/2R2GAuDMUV
— AF Post (@AFpost) June 26, 2024
“And so, let’s say I’m answering a question. My light is green and I’m speaking,” Blackwell said as a split screen showed both CNN anchors as Trump and Biden will appear Thursday evening. “Phil’s microphone is off and his green lights are not illuminating. He’s going to interrupt me as I am speaking and this is what it will sound like.”
Blackwell continued to talk as no sound emitted from CNN anchor Phil Mattingly’s speaking lips. Blackwell did not show his CNN colleague’s podium lights turn on and off as he continued explained the rules — only the right podium’s lights were shown to viewers in the segment. (RELATED: ‘We Don’t Trust Anyone In Front Of The Camera’: Mike Rowe Tears Into ‘Kabuki’ CNN Debate)
“My volume remains constant while Phil’s interruption can be difficult to understand,” Blackwell said.
President Joe Biden’s campaign won a coin toss and chose where Biden will stand on stage — the right podium position. As a result of the coin toss, Trump’s campaign decided to have the final words in the debate.
“Let’s try the opposite,” Mattingly chimed in, his voice finally audible. “My microphone is now on. Victor’s microphone is off. And he’s going to interrupt me.”
Blackwell appeared to begin speaking, but his voice could not be heard.
“My volume remains constant as while Victor’s interruption can be difficult to understand,” Mattingly said.
CNN’s production team shared the demonstration video with both the Trump campaign and the Biden campaign, Mattingly added. The CNN anchor said the network is sharing the demonstration with viewers as well to make sure “everyone fully understands” how microphone muting will “work.”
“We should note. By agreeing to participate in this debate, both campaigns and candidates have also agreed to abide by these rules,” Mattingly said.
