The first debate of the 2024 presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump took place in Atlanta, showcasing the performance, experience, and cognitive health of the two oldest candidates to ever run for U.S. president.
Moderated by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, the debate aired without a live studio audience, adding a unique layer to this political face-off. Both Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, entered the debate tied in the polls, underscoring the high stakes of the evening.
This Night’s Crucial Points
As they began, polling data reflected a tight race between Biden and Trump. Notably, Biden held a statistical tie with Trump in national polls, though Trump had a slight edge in swing states. The outcomes of the debate are expected to influence future polling numbers.
Biden’s Schedule Post-Debate
After an intense debate, President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden planned to attend a campaign event in Atlanta. The Bidens were scheduled to fly to Raleigh, North Carolina, for a next-day rally, continuing their campaign with weekend events in New York.
Debate’s Outcome
The debate concluded after roughly 100 minutes, with political analysts noting President Biden’s weak performance and former President Trump’s tendency to spread misinformation.
In a noteworthy moment, Trump was asked multiple times if he would accept the 2024 election results if he loses. He hesitated but ultimately claimed he would if the election was fair, despite repeatedly asserting without proof that the 2020 election was fraudulent.
Light-hearted Golf Banter
The debate took an amusing turn when Trump touted his recent golf wins and cognitive abilities. Biden responded, offering to play golf with Trump if he carried his own bag. Trump quipped back about knowing Biden’s swing.
Tense Exchanges
Trump mentioned that Biden could become a convicted felon once out of office, which Biden rebuffed. Other heated moments included Biden condemning Trump’s moral character and legal troubles, particularly Trump’s allegations of sexual misconduct and an affair with adult star Stormy Daniels.
Trump deflected blame for the January 6 Capitol riot, suggesting they were respected worldwide on that day compared to now under Biden’s presidency.
2020 Debate Flashbacks
This debate marked Biden and Trump’s first public encounter since their tumultuous debates in 2020. This time, rules included muted mics to prevent interruptions, keeping the discourse more orderly.
Accusations and Rebuttals
Trump denied calling fallen soldiers “suckers” and “losers,” statements attributed to him by a former staffer. Biden retorted, defending the honor of his son, Beau, who served in Iraq and passed away from brain cancer.
The two also sparred over late-term abortions with Trump falsely claiming Biden supported it. Biden forcefully refuted, aligning his stance with the vast majority of Democrats.
Other Candidates and Coin Toss
Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. held his own event after missing debate qualifications. Trump lost a coin toss for the debate’s end, but his campaign chose for Trump to have the final say Thursday night.
Moderating Team
Jake Tapper, 55, and Dana Bash, 53, known for their expertise and previous debate moderation, guided the discussion smoothly despite tense moments between candidates.
Biden’s Unexpected Endorsement
Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger endorsed Biden earlier in the week, highlighting the bipartisan support Biden is garnering. Kinzinger emphasized the importance of democracy as his reason for crossing party lines.
Format Changes
CNN set specific rules for the debate, ensuring a structured 90-minute format. Both campaigns agreed to these guidelines back in May.
Arrival in Atlanta
President Biden arrived in Atlanta from Camp David, while Trump flew in from Florida, marking the beginning of an intense showdown wrapped in pressing issues and fiery exchanges.
