US President Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump faced off in the first debate of the 2024 presidential election on Thursday night, hosted by CNN in Atlanta. The 90-minute event saw millions of Americans tuning in to witness the heated exchanges between the two candidates.
Biden opened the debate by blaming Trump for “an economy that was in free fall” and mishandling the pandemic, leading to significant loss of life. Trump retaliated by criticizing the Biden administration’s performance, claiming, “He has not done a good job. He’s done a poor job. And inflation is killing our country.”
Throughout the debate, Trump made numerous unsubstantiated claims, prompting CNN anchor David King to remark, “Donald Trump broke the fact-check machine more than I can count tonight.” Meanwhile, Biden’s performance was uneven, with CNN anchor Abby Phillip noting, “Biden’s answers were, in a lot of cases, not coherent.”
Foreign Policy Showdown: Gaza and Ukraine
The candidates clashed over foreign policy, particularly regarding the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Trump argued that US support for Ukraine was detrimental to the economy, stating, “This is a war that never should have started.” Biden countered by highlighting that military aid to Ukraine consisted of US-made weapons and emphasized his success in garnering international support against Russia.
Age and Fitness for Office
Age and fitness for office were major points of contention. Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, both faced scrutiny over their ability to lead for the next four years. Biden defended his record and dismissed age concerns by noting he entered Congress as one of the youngest senators ever. Trump boasted about his cognitive abilities and physical fitness, claiming he was “in as good a shape as he was 25 years ago.”
Personal Attacks and Convictions
Personal attacks dominated the debate, with Biden criticizing Trump for his 34 felony convictions related to payments made to suppress an alleged extramarital affair. “The only person on this stage that’s a convicted felon is the man I’m looking at right now,” Biden said. Trump deflected by attacking Biden’s son, Hunter, and making unfounded accusations against Biden.
A Close Race
The debate is one of only two scheduled between the closely polling contenders. The absence of a studio audience and the use of microphones that can be switched off aimed to prevent interruptions. Both candidates are seeking to solidify their positions before their respective party conventions, where they are expected to be named official presidential candidates.
Key Issues and Public Opinion
Reproductive rights, illegal immigration, and the handling of the Gaza and Ukraine conflicts were central issues. Biden faced speculation about his mental sharpness, while Trump aimed to overcome the shadow of his felony conviction.
According to a new AP-NORC poll, 6 in 10 Republicans are extremely or very satisfied with Trump, compared to about 4 in 10 Democrats who express satisfaction with Biden. The latest Quinnipiac University poll shows Trump at 49% nationwide, with Biden at 45%.
