© 2025 Iowa Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Memorable moments from presidential debates ahead of the Biden-Trump rematch

Ways To Subscribe
River to River, hosted by Ben Kieffer

A look back at the history of presidential debates, also looking ahead to the 2024 rematch of former President Trump and President Biden.

Four years after former president Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, Trump and Biden will go head to head in a debate ahead of the 2024 election.

Airing on CNN on June 27 in Atlanta, this first debate is scheduled months earlier than usual, with some substantial changes. The candidate's microphones will only be turned on when it is their turn to speak, there will be no in-person audience, and the 90-minute debate will have two commercial breaks.

River to River host Ben Kieffer looks back at the history of America's presidential debates. Presidential historian Tim Walch and political scientist Donna Hoffman discuss their origins, and how the advent of television caused image and likability to be strong factors in voters' perception of candidates. They also listen back to notable moments in televised debate history.

Guests:

  • Tim Walch, historian and director emeritus, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
  • Donna Hoffman, Chuck and Barbara Grassley Professor of political science, University of Northern Iowa
Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River
Samantha McIntosh is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University. Since 2022, McIntosh has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Madeleine Willis is IPR's Production Assistant supporting the talk shows and The Sunny Side Project. Willis has experience in audio production, reporting, writing and editing stories and conversations. She's reported and produced conversations on womanhood, sports, and good news from across Iowa. Willis will receive her bachelors degree from the University of Iowa in May 2025.