OUR GUEST
News Anchor; Host of CNN’s “The Lead”; Co-Author of “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again”
OUR GUEST
National Political Correspondent at Axios; Co-Author of “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disasterous Choice to Run Again”
CO-MODERATOR
Host and Moderator-in-Chief
CO-MODERATOR
Chief Content Officer of Open to Debate
This week:
- New episode: Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson on Biden’s presidential debate performance — and what happened before, during, and after
- Join us for a live NYC debate on whether dating an AI is better than dating a human on Tuesday, June 10
- Your Sunday reading list
We’ve always been captivated (maybe even obsessed) by presidential debates here at Open to Debate. As the nation’s only nonpartisan debate series, it’s our core business — and we know these moments are more than political theater. They’re a public proving ground for ideas, integrity, and leadership — and when done right, essential to a functioning democracy. Our recent work with Princeton University, analyzing decades of presidential debates, underscored just how pivotal these events are, and even proposed a new set of rules to govern them.
That’s why, as we gathered with our community and supporters for a watch party during the Biden-Trump debate last June, we immediately sensed that something historic was unfolding. When President Biden stepped off that stage, it wasn’t just a political stumble, it was a turning point. Within weeks, he would withdraw from the race. We knew we had to unpack what really happened that night.
So, I joined our moderator-in-chief, John Donvan, in the studio for a live, wide-ranging conversation with two people who were in the thick of it: CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who co-moderated the debate, and Axios national political correspondent Alex Thompson, who was ahead of the curve in reporting on Biden’s health concerns. Together, they co-authored the book that’s set Washington buzzing: “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.”
What they shared went far beyond headlines.
Jake offered a candid account of what he saw — and felt — as the debate unfolded live on air. Alex peeled back the curtain on what was happening behind closed doors in the White House in the lead-up to that night: the conversations, the hesitation, the silences — and ultimately, the decision that changed the course of the 2024 race.
This episode might surprise you. It might even challenge you, as we explore the potential reckonings ahead for media and party politics in light of the revelations from this book. We also asked some tough questions about their reporting and the critiques the book has sparked to better understand the choices they made and the implications of their work. But above all, this episode will inform you — and that’s what we’re here for.
More soon,
Lia Matthow
Chief Content Officer
POINT/COUNTERPOINT
Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson on the Night of the Presidential Debate
Jake Tapper
“When he gave the ‘We finally beat Medicare’ answer, which still doesn’t make any sense as to what he’s talking about… we had iPads so we could communicate with the control room. I wrote, ‘Holy smokes.’ I kept it clean because I didn’t know who was in the control room… So anyway, it was rough. [Co-Moderator] Dana Bash passed me a note: ‘He just lost the election.’”
Alex Thompson
“I was in Atlanta in the media holding room, so it’s right outside the ‘spin room’… I was watching the debate on the screens… and you can see the jaws sort of drop and the Slack messages going back and forth, the tweets all going. And then I remember immediately after the debate the surreal scene where the Republicans, all the Trump surrogates all fan out and there’s not a Biden surrogate to be seen for 20-25 minutes.”
Live NYC Debate: Could Dating an AI Be Better Than Dating a Human?
Is the love of your life… ChatGPT? Join us in New York City on Tuesday, June 10th for a live debate on one of the most fascinating relationship questions of our time: Could Dating an AI Be Better Than Dating a Human?
As romantic love increasingly straddles the digital and physical realms, some argue that real intimacy can’t be coded, and that love is evolutionary, complicated, and deeply human. Meanwhile, proponents of dating a bot say that AI can offer empathy, safety, and a new kind of connection, especially for those left out of traditional dating.
Details
When: Tuesday, June 10th
Where: Comedy Cellar at The Village Underground, 130 W 3rd St. (Between 6th Avenue and MacDougal Street)
Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM, debate starts at 6:00 PM
Tickets: $25 – Please note that the venue has a two-item minimum per attendee. Register here
Guest Moderator: Nayeema Raza, Journalist & Host of “Smart Girl Dumb Questions”
WEEKLY POINTS OF VIEW
Arianna Huffington | May 21, 2025
Fortune
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Trump’s turmoil gives Putin a chance to strike
Edward Lucas | May 21, 2025
The Times
Watch Edward’s debate on whether Russia is a marginal power
Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ budget is spooking investors
Gillian Tett | May 22, 2025
Financial Times
Watch Gillian’s debate on whether the U.S. banking system is safer than it was in 2008
How the GOP Can Win the Medicaid Debate
Karl Rove | May 22, 2025
The Wall Street Journal
Watch Karl’s debate on whether George W. Bush is the worst president of the last 50 years
Rebecca Roiphe | May 19, 2025
Persuasion
Watch Rebecca’s debate on election lawsuits
Everyone is using AI to cheat at school. That’s a good thing
Tyler Cowen | May 18, 2025
The Free Press
Watch Tyler’s debate on whether it’s wrong to pay for sex
Support the Debates That Make You Think Twice
At Open to Debate, we take on the topics that challenge assumptions and push both debaters and listeners to think twice. In a time of quick takes and deep divides, we create space for reflection, curiosity, critical thinking, and real dialogue. Your support keeps these vital debates going. Donate today to help us keep minds open and ideas in motion.
