📷 Image Credits: India Today
The first 2024 presidential debate between President Joe Biden and his Republican rival, Donald Trump, took place on Thursday night, hosted by CNN. The debate covered various contentious issues including inflation, immigration, abortion rights, and foreign policy. Both candidates aimed to sway voters ahead of the upcoming election on November 5.
Despite strict speaking limits and the absence of an audience, the debate was fiery. After-debate polls conducted by CNN indicated that 67% of viewers believed Trump emerged as the winner, while only 33% thought Biden won. This marked a significant shift from the final 2020 debate where viewers favored Biden.
Various media outlets, including The New York Times, echoed the sentiments that Trump dominated the debate. Columnists highlighted Biden’s perceived weaknesses in coherence and vigor, with some calling for him to drop out of the race. Democratic leaders expressed concern over Biden’s performance, raising doubts about his ability to lead effectively.
While Trump’s forceful performance and strong answers resonated well with viewers, Biden’s struggles, including confusion and forgetfulness, were evident. Despite attempts to counterattack Trump on various issues, Biden faced challenges in articulating his points clearly.
Additionally, the moderators played a minimal role in fact-checking the candidates, allowing Trump to spread falsehoods without much interruption. Biden’s team scrambled to contain the fallout, with Vice President Kamala Harris highlighting a ‘strong finish’ despite a ‘slow start’. However, the overall sentiment was one of concern and doubt over Biden’s candidacy in the aftermath of the debate.
With Trump’s aggressive approach and Biden’s perceived weaknesses, the debate raised questions about the candidates’ fitness to lead. While Trump seized the opportunity to criticize Biden on multiple fronts, Biden struggled to maintain his composure and deliver impactful responses. As the first of the 2024 presidential debates, the result stands at Trump: 1 and Biden: 0, setting the stage for a potentially heated campaign season ahead.
