President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump went head-to-head in a highly anticipated debate on Thursday, marking the first showdown of the 2024 presidential race.
The debate saw Biden struggling to articulate his points at times, while Trump seized opportunities to redirect the conversation to his opponent’s perceived weaknesses.
Trump also cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 election, repeating false claims of fraud.
Despite some initial stumbles, Biden launched attacks on Trump’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and mocked his resistance to safeguards.
Trump responded with characteristic hyperbole, touting the economy and his presidency.
The debate marked the first time the two candidates shared the stage since October 2020.
Their performance was closely watched, with many wondering if they would show signs of rust after years without participating in a public debate.
The event was moderated by CNN’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper, and held at the network’s studios in Atlanta.
