President Biden and former President Trump will meet on the debate stage Thursday for the first time in four years, and Americans told Fox News Digital they’re expecting a dramatic showdown.
“I think it’s gonna be a sandbox fight,” said Ava from Chicago.
Aldo from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, expects “a mess, to be quite honest,” while Jesse, in Fresno, California, anticipates “a lot of name-calling” and not much listening.
“Not expecting them to respect their political opponent whatsoever,” he said. This will be the first debate between a sitting president and his predecessor.
Biden and Trump will face off in front of CNN moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper. However, breaking tradition, the studio won’t have a live audience. Additionally, the candidates’ microphones will be muted until they respond, a strategy introduced during Trump and Biden’s second 2020 debate to prevent interruptions.
“Last time … Trump was a little overzealous, ” Joshua from California said. “I’d like to see if he can calm down and show a little more restraint when he’s up there answering questions.”
Glenn from Phoenix predicted Trump would “outlast his opponent.”
“Depends if Biden’s all pumped up on some stimulants to keep him going through the process,” Glenn said while visiting Milwaukee. “I think they’ll probably both do all right. They’ll probably stay within their lanes unless they start butting heads, and then we’ll see what they’re made of.”
Trump and some of his allies have long speculated, without evidence, that Biden cannot speak for sustained periods without the assistance of medication. The former president offered to submit to a drug test ahead of the debate if Biden were also required to take one.
“I think Mr. Trump will do excellent,” said a woman from Sevierville, Tennessee. “I think he’ll knock him out of the ballpark.”
Regarding the content of the debate, Juan from Chino Hills, California, hopes “both of the candidates are true and answer the questions honestly.”
Voters nationwide said they’re interested in hearing the candidates talk about the economy, immigration, foreign policy, reproductive rights, and more.
“I want them to talk about the issues at hand and less about all the cultural divides that everybody’s been fighting over,” said Byron from Birmingham, Michigan.
However, most people Fox News Digital spoke with said the debate will not change who they vote for come November.
“I think my mind was already made up four years ago,” said one man in Fresno.
