In a significant turn of events, former President Donald Trump will have the last word in the upcoming debate with current President Joe Biden on CNN. The podium placement and order of closing statements were decided through a coin flip, landing on tails, which favored the Biden campaign's choice. Biden's campaign opted for the right podium position, positioning the Democratic president on the right side of viewers' screens, while his Republican rival will be on the left.

The debate, scheduled to take place on June 27, will make history as the first-ever presidential debate between an incumbent and a former president. It will also be the first debate since 2020 featuring either Biden, who faced no serious challenge for the Democratic nomination, or Trump, who opted out of participating in the Republican primary debates.

The 90-minute showdown will be hosted by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash in Atlanta. Both candidates have accepted the network's invitation and agreed to adhere to the rules and format outlined in letters sent to their campaigns in May.

Notably, Trump's selection to deliver the final closing statement marks a departure from his recent New York criminal trial, in which he expressed frustration that his lawyer did not have the opportunity to present the last argument. In contrast, trials typically allow prosecutors to have the final remarks. The former president voiced his discontent on his social media platform, Truth Social, exclaiming his view that it was an unfair advantage.

The qualification window for the debate closed just after midnight on Thursday, and only Biden and Trump met the constitutional, polling, and ballot qualification requirements established by CNN. The network has disclosed that the debate will include two commercial breaks, during which campaign staff will not have any interaction with their respective candidates. Uniform podiums will be provided for both candidates, and microphones will be muted except for the candidate who has the floor to speak.

While props or pre-written notes will not be allowed on the stage, candidates will be provided with a pen, a pad of paper, and a bottle of water. This ensures a level playing field for both sides.

As the highly-anticipated debate draws closer, all eyes will be on the two political heavyweights as they clash in a historic face-off that is sure to shape the narrative of the upcoming elections.