Trump vs Biden Debate: The first US election debate between President Joe Biden and his Republican challenger, Donald Trump, has come to a close at CNN’s Atlanta headquarters after a spirited exchange on a wide range of critical issues. From the ongoing conflicts in Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas to the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the debate also delved into domestic concerns like inflation, childcare, and the climate crisis. Both candidates passionately argued their positions, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in the 2024 presidential race. This debate was held earlier than usual, ahead of the November 5 presidential elections, and featured the two oldest candidates in history competing for the top job.
Trump vs Biden US Presidential Debate 2024 Live Updates: Stay with us as we bring you real-time happenings from this epic face-off!
Trump's allegation on Biden: “He wants to raise your taxes by four times.”
Fact Check: That's not true. Biden aims to avoid raising taxes for people earning less than $400,000, which includes most taxpayers, reports AP. Biden's budget plan doesn't raise taxes as much as Trump says, mainly targeting corporations and rich individuals. Trump's tax cuts from 2017 for individuals are scheduled to end after 2025 because they weren't fully paid for when they were made into law.
President Joe Biden addressed concerns about inflation affecting black families, highlighting increased childcare expenses. He pledged to secure ample funding for childcare and emphasized the need for further job creation initiatives. Responding to criticism from disappointed black voters, Biden pointed to a $10,000 tax credit provided to every black family and promised additional support. In contrast, Donald Trump blamed Biden for inflation, accusing him of mismanaging the economy and exacerbating financial hardships, asserting that newcomers were displacing black and Hispanic workers in the job market.
By the end of the 90-minute debate, supporters of the Democratic president — including party strategists and ordinary voters — were in complete panic. His performance was marked by frequent mistakes, long pauses, and a soft voice that was hard to hear, reported AP. Democrats openly wondered if they should find a new nominee to run against the 78-year-old former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
While concluding the debate, Trump praised his record as president in the first term and called Biden a "complainer". Trump said the "whole country is exploding because of you, because they don’t respect you". Meanwhile, democrat Biden talked about taxes and inflation.
During the CNN debate, Trump said the Paris accord would cost the US $1 trillion while China, Russia, and India pay nothing. The New York Times fact-checked this and found it incorrect. The Times reported that China contributes through a "South-South" cooperation fund for developing countries. The Biden administration has been urging China to increase its contributions. It's important to note that the US pledged to donate $11.4 billion each year by 2024 to help vulnerable countries develop clean energy. This commitment is part of the Paris agreement, where richer nations agreed to assist poorer countries most affected by climate change.
Biden had trouble staying focused while talking about the national debt. His voice trailed off and he mixed up "billionaires" and "trillionaires" before correcting himself. Then, when he talked about taxing the wealthy more, he struggled to finish his sentences, pausing awkwardly. He mentioned using tax reform to help strengthen healthcare, but his words didn't make sense. Trump criticized Biden for his unclear statements, making a sarcastic remark about "beating Medicare," which seemed to refer to Biden's confusion.
The first general election debate of the 2024 season concluded with a heated exchange between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Republican opponent, Donald Trump, on Thursday evening in Atlanta. The two candidates clashed over key issues like immigration and climate change, while also delivering sharp personal attacks.
Biden, the 81-year-old Democratic incumbent, aimed to demonstrate his capability to lead the country through various challenges. On the other side, Trump, at 78, sought to use this platform to move beyond his felony conviction in New York and to persuade millions of viewers that he has the temperament and suitability to return to the presidency.
A hoarse President Biden struggled through the initial half-hour, stumbling over his words. However, he gained confidence midway, sharply criticising Trump for his conviction related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, labeling him a “felon.”
Read More here: Biden's uneven performance vs Trump's sharp attacks - This Presidential debate is a must-watch!
“He’s the one that killed people with a bad border and flooding hundreds of thousands of people dying and also killing our citizens when they come in.” Trumps said during the debate, referring to Biden.
The CNN moderators of today's significant debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden were Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. They began the debate by asking Trump and Biden about the economy, abortion laws, immigration policies, and also Jan 6 attack on the Capitol, among other topics.
Trump said that he is ready to accept the results of the 2024 US Elections if he feels they are fair. Biden shot back saying, 'I doubt whether you'll accept it'.
Towards the end of the debate, Donald Trump criticized President Joe Biden, labeling him as a constant complainer whose decisions have jeopardized national security and damaged America's global standing. Trump specifically blamed Biden for policies towards Iran, linking them to increased tensions in the Middle East, including attacks by Hamas on Israel. Reflecting on Biden's presidency, Trump lamented what he described as three and a half years of turmoil for the nation. He also addressed widespread protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, directly attributing the unrest to what he perceives as a lack of respect for Biden's leadership. Trump concluded by highlighting his administration's achievements in employment, the economy, and healthcare, reaffirming his commitment to restoring the country's greatness.
In a heated segment, President Biden directly confronted Donald Trump's ongoing assertions about the 2020 election. Biden called Trump a "whiner" who pursued numerous legal challenges across the country, all of which were dismissed by state and local courts. Biden also expressed doubts about Trump's readiness to accept the results of the 2024 election, suggesting a deep-seated aversion to losing.
In the heat of the debate, Donald Trump took aim at Joe Biden's international policies and military strategies, warning of imminent global conflict. Trump asserted that the world stands on the brink of World War III, emphasizing his belief that authoritarian leaders like Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping do not respect Biden's leadership.
In response, Biden cited NATO's Article 5, stressing the alliance's crucial role in global security. "Our involvement is essential," Biden affirmed, linking US security directly to global stability. He argued that failing to confront challenges, such as Vladimir Putin's actions in Kyiv, would escalate tensions rather than prevent them. The exchange underscores stark differences in approach to international relations and security policy, setting the stage for a critical discourse on America's role in a volatile world landscape.
The debate took a lighthearted turn when the topic shifted to the candidates' golfing skills. Biden and Trump playfully compared their achievements on the golf course, with Trump humorously suggesting that Biden would struggle to hit a golf ball even 50 yards. Biden quickly responded with a witty remark, saying, "I got my handicap down to a six. I told him I'd be happy to play golf if he carries his own bag." This exchange provided a moment of levity amidst the serious political discussions, as the two candidates engaged in some good-natured ribbing over their golfing prowess.
According to CNN, Democrats tuning into tonight's debate are expressing concern over President Joe Biden's performance. They are alarmed that Biden isn't being assertive enough in countering Donald Trump's false claims and are frustrated by his lack of clarity regarding his vision and accomplishments for the country.
According to data collected by CNN, Donald Trump has spoken for a longer duration than Joe Biden during the debate. Trump has clocked 23 minutes and six seconds of speaking time, while Biden has spoken for 18 minutes and 26 seconds. Debate rules stipulate that both candidates are allotted equal time to respond to questions, although they are not required to use the entire time. Throughout the evening, CNN will continue to update and publish these speaking time statistics every few minutes.
During the debate, President Joe Biden addressed the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, highlighting his efforts and support for Israel. He mentioned that his proposed plan has been endorsed by everyone in the UN Security Council. Biden emphasized that the U.S. has provided Israel with all the necessary support, claiming, "We saved Israel. We are the biggest supporter of Israel." He firmly stated that Hamas cannot be allowed to continue and should be eliminated, while also stressing the importance of being cautious with certain weapons.
President Biden has targeted Donald Trump on a critical issue that affects many Americans, which is, Social Security. Biden claims that Trump supports cutting benefits from both Social Security and Medicare, stating, "He thinks there's plenty to cut." This highlights the stark contrast between their positions on these essential programs, which millions of Americans depend on for their financial security in retirement.
President Biden responded to concerns from African American voters about the lack of progress on issues like maternal mortality rates. Recent surveys show a dip in Biden's support among this demographic. He acknowledged their disappointment but emphasized the advancements made, such as reduced housing segregation. "We're going to do a whole lot more for black families," he promised. Biden also recognized the need for further action and committed to intensifying efforts to address the challenges facing the black community and to uplift African American families.
During questioning about the January 6 incident, Trump initially sidestepped direct discussion of the riot, focusing instead on criticizing America's global reputation under President Biden's leadership. Trump then defended his actions by stating, "I said 'peacefully' and 'patriotically'," and shifted blame to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, alleging they rejected his proposal to deploy 10,000 National Guard members. Trump has previously referred to some individuals imprisoned for their roles in the January 6 riot as "political prisoners" and pledged to reassess their cases if he returns to the White House.
President Joe Biden confronted Donald Trump for the first time about his criminal felony convictions, stating pointedly, "The only person on this stage who is a convicted felon is this man I’m looking at right now." The remark followed a heated exchange between the candidates concerning January 6 and the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. Biden further criticized Trump, alleging there was "no effort" on Trump’s part to halt the riot on January 6.
Former President Donald Trump avoided directly stating whether he would support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state as a solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
During a heated exchange, President Joe Biden forcefully rebutted Donald Trump's claims of a rise in migrant crime under his administration and criticized Trump's low approval ratings among veterans, bluntly stating, "Every single thing he said is a lie." Biden underscored his administration's respect for veterans, highlighting his son Beau Biden's exposure to burn pits during Iraq service. He also referenced a contentious allegation from Trump's term, where Trump purportedly disparaged fallen US soldiers. Directly addressing Trump, Biden asserted, "My son was not a loser or a sucker. You're the sucker. You're the loser." Trump denied making such remarks, insisting they were fabricated, and declared, "Nobody has taken better care of our soldiers than I have."
Donald Trump faced scrutiny over his immigration policy promises during questioning about his plan to deport all undocumented immigrants, regardless of their long-term residency in the United States. Responding to inquiries on the feasibility of this goal, Trump reiterated his stance on Joe Biden's immigration policies, blaming what he describes as an "open border" approach for contributing to increased crime rates nationwide.
President Joe Biden faced early challenges in the debate against Republican rival Donald Trump. Biden's speech was marked by a raspy voice and frequent throat-clearing, affecting his delivery as he defended his economic record and criticized Trump. At one point, he appeared to lose focus during a response, transitioning abruptly from tax policy to health policy, and struggling with words like "COVID," before trailing off.
Trump continues to criticize Biden's border policies, alleging that prisoners, individuals from mental health institutions, and terrorists are entering the country through the border. Biden counters by stating that there is no factual basis for Trump's assertions.
Former President Donald Trump stated that if elected, he would not restrict access to abortion medication. He expressed agreement with a recent Supreme Court decision regarding the abortion pill.
Trump criticized Biden's troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, labeling it as the most embarrassing day in America's history. He further added that he was withdrawing from Afghanistan, but that was being done with dignity, strength, and power.