Donald Trump and Joe Biden are set to go head to head on Thursday, June 27 when they take part in the first of two United States presidential debates on CNN. Biden will have the podium on the right side of the stage to viewers after winning a coin flip last week, while Trump will get the last word in closing statements, as is so often the case with the outspoken former president.
Enterprising sportsbooks have already released dozens of markets for this must-see event, ranging from what each candidate will wear to whether Trump will say, "Drill, baby, drill." It seems nothing is out of the question.
Betting on US election odds can be a risky endeavor as the last decade has made it clear how often polls are flawed. But there are ways to approach Thursday’s debate prudently and with an eye towards turning a profit.
I've examined the latest US presidential debate odds available and have selected my four favorite props you can actually wager on.
Will Donald Trump’s legal issues be brought up during the debate?
Donald Trump has enough legal issues that they could pop up in relation to a number of topics from the 2020 election to his alleged hording of classified documents.
Perhaps the real reason Trump opted to deliver the final closing statement is for it to serve as a counter to the end of that most recent trial in New York, where he was convicted of 34 felonies.
Prosecutors commonly deliver the final remarks of a criminal trial, but Trump still felt that was part of “the corrupt government” and its “witch hunt,” to use phrases from his own social media posts.
He has not yet had a chance to speak to a broader audience about his conviction, but expect him to work those thoughts into his closing remarks on Thursday.
Pick: Yes (-500)
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Will either candidate trend on X/Twitter during the debate?
Why else did Elon Musk insist on paying $44 billion for the site formerly and better known as Twitter? The 2022 impulse purchase has long seemed like a political play, with Musk looking to control the most influential piece of social media.
It is no longer worth that price, nor is it the product it once was, but X is still the primary playground for most journalists and the most politically-engaged among us. If neither Joe Biden nor Trump trends on Thursday night, it may be time for Musk to sell for $44.
Pick: Yes (-500)
Which candidate will be the first to audibly raise their voice?
| Candidate | Odds |
|---|---|
| Donald Trump | -140 |
| Joe Biden | +100 |
The catch may be “audibly.” Each candidate’s microphone will be muted when it is not his turn to speak.
One candidate is, literally speaking here, a louder individual than the other. If wanting to interject for any reason whatsoever, appropriate or not, one candidate is more likely to do so in a way that supersedes a muted mic.
Pick: Donald Trump (-140)
Who will be declared the winner by Fox News’ poll?
| Candidate | Odds |
|---|---|
| Donald Trump | -190 |
| Joe Biden | +140 |
However you may feel about Fox News and its coverage, no one can argue that the network’s viewership tilts strongly toward supporting Donald Trump.
Any poll conducted by Fox News will have as certain of a result as would a poll asking second-graders if they like ice cream or a poll wondering if Lakers fans hope LeBron James picks up his player option for 2024-25. The answers are formalities.
Pick: Donald Trump (-190)
