In the 2024 US Presidential debate, Joe Biden and Donald Trump faced off in a heated and personal exchange. Held at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, the debate saw both candidates hurling sharp insults and accusations at each other.
Joe Biden, 81, appeared hesitant and had trouble with his delivery, while Donald Trump, 78, launched aggressive attacks. Trump criticized Biden’s handling of the economy and foreign affairs, calling him a failure. Biden, who had a cold, responded with prepared lines but often stumbled over his words.
This debate was historic as it was the first time a sitting president faced a former president. Both men, the oldest ever to be elected president, accused each other of being unfit for office. They even mocked each other’s golf swings, calling each other childlike.
Biden and Trump did not shake hands when they took the stage. The debate, held without a live audience, featured muted microphones to prevent interruptions.
Biden accused Trump of having numerous civil penalties and immoral behavior. “You have the morals of an alley cat,” Biden said. Trump, experienced in rallies and reality TV, loudly criticized Biden’s record and delivery, saying, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said either.”
Former Biden communications director Kate Bedingfield admitted Biden’s performance was disappointing. “I don’t think there is any other way to slice it,” she said.
The candidates clashed over economic issues, with Biden criticizing Trump’s handling of inflation and the economy. Trump claimed he led “the greatest economy in the history of our country,” while Biden dismissed this claim.
Biden brought up reports of Trump calling fallen soldiers “suckers” and “losers,” referencing his late son Beau, who served in Iraq. Trump denied the remarks and questioned Biden’s coherence.
On international issues, Trump criticized Biden’s stance on Israel and the withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it “the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country.” Biden defended his record, highlighting that he has kept American soldiers out of harm’s way.
The debate also covered abortion and immigration, critical issues for both candidates’ supporters. Biden attacked Trump for appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe vs. Wade, calling it a “terrible thing.”
Some Democratic supporters expressed concern over Biden’s performance. Hazel Reitz, at a watch party in San Francisco, said she would still vote for Biden but found his speech difficult to understand.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., running an anti-establishment campaign, did not meet CNN’s debate criteria and spent the debate answering questions on a livestream.
This fiery debate sets the stage for a contentious presidential race, reflecting the deep divisions in the country.