This article examines the role of presidential debates in modern democracies as avatars of democratic public debate. It argues that, beyond their informative function, debates act as simulacra of actually existing democracy, symbolizing the rituals and representations that sustain the legitimacy of the political system. Through a critical lens, it reflects on how these events, often perceived as events of public deliberation, also function as ceremonies of legitimation and acts of authority of political campaigns. Debates are thus presented not only as acts of electoral communication, but as performative scenarios that, while reinforcing certain democratic notions, also reflect the limitations and contradictions inherent to the contemporary political system. The article concludes that, although presidential debates play a crucial symbolic role, their effectiveness in promoting genuine dialogue and the formation of an informed citizenry remains a matter of debate. These events, however imperfect, encapsulate the tensions between democratic reality and its ritualized representation, revealing both the strengths and weaknesses of democracy in practice