Biden campaign unveils pre-debate media blitz

President Biden’s reelection campaign unveiled a seven-figure media blitz Thursday, hours ahead of the first presidential debate between President Biden and former President Trump.

The media blitz launch Thursday morning included ads on the websites of BuzzFeed, CNN, El Tiempo Latino, Telemundo, TheGrio and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Ads also appeared on USA Today’s website and on a full-print page of the newspaper, which argues that Trump is “a self-centered criminal.”

The campaign plans to display billboards around Atlanta, where the debate — moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash — will take place at 9 p.m. EDT. The team plans to project a QR code around the city, including on billboards, sidewalks, and buildings, for voters to scan to learn more about how the Biden team explains Trump’s plans for a second term.

The QR code leads to a page entitled “Project 2025,” which is hosted by Biden’s campaign, and argues that the presumptive GOP nominee wants to take away reproductive rights nationwide and use the presidency for revenge from personal enemies, among other goals. Trump has said he wouldn’t sign a national abortion ban but has focused on retaliation if he’s reelected, especially in the wake of his recent conviction in a New York hush money case.

“Today’s show of force in Atlanta and across the battlegrounds emphasizes the two contrasting visions the American people will see on the debate stage tonight: between President Biden fighting for the American people, and Donald Trump whose campaign is focused on benefitting one person only: himself,” Biden senior spokesperson Kevin Munoz said in a statement.

Trump’s campaign also plans to air two 30-second ads during the debate with Biden, including one that suggests the incumbent would be unable to serve a full second term.

The Democratic National Committee is also launching a mobile billboard in the area around the debate attacking the former president over his election interference case in the Peach State.