Biden falls flat against Trump in first 2024 US presidential debate
President Joe Biden and Donald Trump have faced off in the first debate of the 2024 United States presidential race, aiming to gain an edge in what has been a closely contested match-up so far.
Despite delivering the opening remarks, Biden had difficulty articulating his points at several moments, appearing to stumble over his words. Trump seized opportunities to highlight Biden’s perceived weaknesses, particularly focusing on issues of immigration and the economy. He also evaded questions about whether he would accept the results of the November 5 presidential election, stating he would only do so if the election was “fair” and “free,”
while repeating false claims that the 2020 election was rigged. Trump currently faces two criminal indictments—one in Georgia and another in Washington, DC—over his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results
Rusty on stage?
Thursday evening’s debate took place at CNN’s studios in Atlanta, Georgia, marking the first time since October 2020 that the two candidates met on the debate stage. Many political observers speculated about whether they would be rusty, as neither had participated in a public debate for years. Biden spent the week leading up to the debate at Camp David in Maryland, where aides helped him prepare with mock set-ups. Meanwhile, Trump continued his schedule of rallies.
From the moment Biden stepped on stage, he seemed unsteady, muttering as he approached the podium. However, as he faced the first question of the night, Biden came out swinging, attacking Trump’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We had an economy that was in free fall,” Biden said to the room, which was largely empty except for CNN moderators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper. “By the time he left, things were in chaos. Things were in chaos. So we put things back together.” He also mocked Trump’s resistance to COVID-19 safeguards, saying his philosophy echoed the misinformation circulating online about cures: “Just inject a little bleach into your arm, and you’ll be alright.”
When Trump was given a chance to respond, his opening remarks reflected the characteristic hyperbole he is known for. “We had the greatest economy in the history of our country. We have never done so well. Everybody was amazed by it. Other countries were copying us,” Trump said, quipping later, “Everything was rocking good.”
A critical night in a tight race
The night was crucial for both Trump and Biden as they sought to advance different visions of the US. Trump suggested that the country had declined under Biden’s leadership, while Biden defended the US’s standing in the world. “I’ve never heard a president talk like this before. We’re the envy of the world. Name me a single major country that wouldn’t trade places with the United States of America,” said Biden at one point. “No one thinks we’re weak. No one wants to screw around with us. Nobody.”
Trump, however, fired back: “Joe, our country is being destroyed as you and I sit up here and waste a lot of time on this debate.”
Leading up to Thursday’s debate, polls showed Trump and Biden in a tight race, with the Republican appearing to edge ahead. A survey from The New York Times and Siena College, released on the eve of the event, showed Trump with nearly 48 percent support, about four points ahead of Biden, who was around 44 percent.
Political observers noted that Thursday’s performance could widen that divide. “I’ve been speaking to Republicans and Democrats since the debate ended,” said Al Jazeera correspondent Alan Fisher. “And the overwhelming view is that this was a very good night for Donald Trump.” Much of it had to do with stage presence, Fisher continued, noting that Trump reiterated many talking points from his campaign rallies.
“Yep, Joe Biden called out Donald Trump on his lies, on his falsehoods, on his exaggerations, on things that simply are not true. But Donald Trump looked as if he was in command,” Fisher explained. “Biden didn’t finish thoughts. He looked confused on certain points. And this was a bad night for him.”
Fisher added that the debate will heighten questions about Biden’s age: the Democratic president is 81, while his Republican rival is 78. “This performance is not going to do anything to assuage those concerns.”
Ad hominem attacks
The debate devolved at several points into each candidate accusing the other of lying or whining. At one point, they even compared their golf games, with Biden challenging Trump to carry his own bag of equipment and Trump mocking Biden’s swing.
Biden criticized Trump for media reports that the Republican president called veterans “suckers and losers,” invoking the loss of his own son, Beau Biden. “My son was not a loser or a sucker. You are a loser. You are a sucker,” Biden told Trump.
Trump forcefully responded, claiming the media report was a fabrication: “He made up the suckers and losers, so he should apologize to me right now.” When Biden pressed Trump about his lukewarm reaction to the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia—where white supremacists marched through the streets with tiki torches—Trump attempted to deflect.
“For three and a half years, we’ve been living in hell,” Trump said. “This is a hundred times Charlottesville, a thousand times Charlottesville.
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