«Trump is a dictator». “Biden is a threat to democracy but also to the survival and existence of our country itself.”

The president and his predecessor open fire online a few hours after the first of their two TV duels, after those of 2020 (from 2.30 am, Italian time). Now the two oldest presidential candidates ever appear visibly marked by age, more the 81-year-old Joe than the 78-year-old Donald, but both have accumulated gaffes, moments of confusion and senile tiredness. So much so that - according to polls - 70% of Americans would not like to see this "rematch" again, even if a similar percentage will remain glued to the small screen to follow the match in the CNN ring in prime time in Atlanta, Georgia, a state in the balance won by Biden in the last elections.

America will therefore stop for what has now been a ritual since 1960, when there was the first debate of the young and relaxed Jfk with the older, pale and sweaty Nixon, who lost. This third duel is probably more important than those of 2020 due to the larger slice of uncertain electorate to be conquered , especially in the swing states, where the tycoon is ahead in six out of seven (while at a national level he leads 48% to 44% according to a NY poll).

And for the never-so-anticipated date of the duel, which has the potential to change the trajectory - and the narrative - of the race for weeks or months. Especially if he misses the Sept. 10 rematch on Fox. Barring sensational gaffes and slips, the one who makes the fewest mistakes will probably win. And not so much for the things he will say, but for how he will say them. The real test will be on character and age. For 90 minutes, viewers and experts will scrutinize every movement, tone of voice, physical resistance, wrinkles and alertness. After all, the challenge is between two candidates who have already governed, the Americans have already seen them at work, they know their strengths and weaknesses.

This time, however, the rules of engagement are different: 90 minutes with two commercial breaks, without spectators in the room or notes or staff to consult, just a blank piece of paper, a pen and a bottle of water. Two minutes each to respond, one for the reply. Microphones turned off when it's not your turn, to avoid bickering. The moderators will be two CNN veterans, anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bush, who the Trump campaign has already accused of bias to reduce expectations.