Presidential debate 2024: Biden, Trump to battle out the issues in Atlanta | What to know
ATLANTA - Atlanta is buzzing ahead of the first presidential debate in the 2024 election season. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will be traveling to the Peach State to take part in the debate on Thursday, but both campaigns were out in full force on Wednesday trying to get their messages out to voters.
Both campaigns are looking to shore up Georgia, which became an important swing state in the 2020 presidential election.
READ MORE: First presidential debate: High interest in watching, betting
Biden's endorsement from GOP politicians
With recent polls showing former President Donald Trump leading President Joe Biden by a slim margin in Georgia, both campaigns are reaching beyond their party base in an effort to secure votes.
"I think that there are millions of Republicans who want a reason not to vote for Donald Trump, and I'm hoping to be able to give them that excuse," former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan told reporters during a news conference at the Georgia State Capitol on Wednesday.
Duncan is breaking ranks with the GOP this election and voting for President Joe Biden. He joined former U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger in urging fellow Republicans to do the same.
"I am proud to stand up here today as a conservative Republican and endorse Joe Biden for reelection to President of the United States," Kinzinger proclaimed.
READ MORE: Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Lt. Gov. Duncan endorse Biden
Trump holds Black business roundtable at Atlanta barbershop
Across town, former President Trump worked to engage Black voters. He hosted a roundtable discussion with Black business leaders at an Atlanta barbershop.
Trump campaign organizes Atlanta Barbershop Roundtable
The Trump campaign organized the Black American Business Leaders Barbershop Roundtable in Atlanta in which several prominent figures held a candid discussion about the election, former President Donald Trump's policies and their thoughts on what should be important to Black voters today.
Conservative politicians, business leaders and talk show hosts joined the Trump campaign to discuss his economic policies and how, they say, black Americans will benefit if Trump is re-elected.
Trump spoke to the group by phone saying, "Inflation is a disaster. It's killing the black community, and it's killing the country. We did all those things and nobody else came close, and we will do them again even better."
READ MORE: Trump campaign hosts Black business leaders roundtable at Atlanta barbershop
Atlanta traffic red alert Thursday
The presidential debate and Copa America will make navigating the roadways inside The Perimeter a bit tricky on Thursday.
Traffic disruptions can be expected as soon as late Wednesday evening through early Friday morning.
Road closures around the Warner Media campus on Techwood Drive began late Wednesday and will continue through midnight Thursday, affecting 10th Street from State Street to Spring Street and Fowler Street from Sixth to 10th Street.
Vehicular traffic will be diverted from the intersection of 10th and State to 14th Street.
Pedestrians will have access from the west side of 10th Street up to Holly Street. Additionally, rolling roadblocks will impact traffic flow on the Downtown Connector on Thursday evening. Bus service also could be impacted.
President Biden is expected to arrive at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta at 3:25 p.m.
Former President Trump is expect to arrive at 5:30 p.m. at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
In addition to the presidential debate, Georgia Tech is hosting the Atlanta Swim Association Swim Meet from June 26 to June 28 at the McAuley Aquatic Center and the CONMEBOL Copa América USA 2024 will hold a match between the U.S. and Panama at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
There will be no road closures in place near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but anyone driving to the stadium should allow themselves extra time to get there.
Authorities are asking those who can work from home to do so on Thursday. Those who need to come into the city are asked to use ridesharing and mass transit.
READ MORE: Presidential debate, Copa América will impact Thursday's traffic in Atlanta
What time is the presidential debate?
The stage is set for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election season, which will take place in Atlanta.
Hosted by CNN, the highly anticipated event is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on Thursday.
Viewers can tune in to FOX 5 Atlanta and FOX Local to catch the live broadcast. Our coverage will begin at 8:30 p.m.
What are the rules?
There are some changes to the rules for the first presidential debate.
There will not be a studio audience and the microphone will be muted while the other candidate is speaking.
And, neither candidate will be permitted to bring any pre-written notes or talk to anyone on their staff during breaks.