Presidential debate recap: Biden rejects calls to drop out and commits to next debate after shaky night against Trump

Joe Biden and Donald Trump appeared on stage at CNN debate moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash

Biden freezes mid-answer during presidential election debate

US president Joe Biden struggled badly in the first television debate of the 2024 presidential election cycle against Donald Trump on Thursday night, as Democrats looked on in horror.

Hoarse and raspy, Biden appeared low in energy during the CNN showdown in Atlanta, Georgia, with the White House later saying he had a cold.

Looking his age and out-of-sorts, Biden mispoke at one stage and declared, “we finally beat Medicare”, to which his Republican opponent responded: “I really don’t know what he said.”

The president did later rally to rebuke Trump over his sordid personal history and alleged “suckers and losers” remark about the military.

The businessman, meanwhile, repeated lies and falsehoods throughout, often failing to answer questions and having to be pressed three times on whether he would accept November’s results.

In post-debate analysis, pundits discussed the possibility of Biden stepping down as the Democratic candidate, with party members said to be privately lobbying for the likes of vice president Kamala Harris or state governors Gavin Newsom and Gretchen Whitmer to take over.

But CNN reported on Friday that Biden is not planning to drop out and intends to take part in a second debate in September.

Key Points

• Biden rejects calls to drop out and commits to second debate in September
• Trump pulls no punches as president struggles in CNN debate
• Republican candidate claims US was ‘respected all over the world’ on Jan 6
• ‘Morals of an alley cat’: Biden lays into Trump over sexual abuse and porn star affair claims
• Snap poll: Who won the debate?

[28 June 2024 05:49 · Oliver O'Connell]

Bidens greet supporters at watch-party and stop at Waffle House to pick up dinner

The White House pool reports:

POTUS and FLOTUS entered a ballroom in the Hyatt Regency at 11:00 pm to chants of “four more years.” The campaign hosted a debate watch party here - where supporters gathered with signs and a DJ played music.

FLOTUS spoke first: “I can’t thank you all enough,” she said. “Joe did such a great job”

“What did Trump do? Lied!”

(Getty Images for DNC)

POTUS then spoke for a few minutes, thanking supporters and quoting a John Wayne western film “a lying, dog-faced pony soldier” as he criticized Trump for lying during the debate.

“They’re going to be out there fact-checking,” POTUS said. “I can’t think of one thing that he said was true”

“Look we’re going to beat this guy, and I need you in order to beat him,” he said, adding: “You are the reason why America is as good as we are.”

(Getty Images for DNC)

POTUS left the stage at 11.04pm and he and FLOTUS worked the rope line for almost an hour before the motorcade got rolling and arrived at a Waffle House in Atlanta at 12.13am

From the White House: “The President and First Lady are stopping by a Waffle House to pick up food for staff and press, before heading to Raleigh.”

President Joe Biden greets people as he and First Lady Jill Biden pick up an order from a Waffle House in Marietta, Georgia (REUTERS)

POTUS and FLOTUS entered the Waffle House at 12.18am. POTUS shook hands and greeted customers.

POTUS and FLOTUS then went to the register to pick up food. FLOTUS said the order was for “Biden” and POTUS slipped her some cash.

(AFP via Getty Images)

POTUS then answered a few questions...

On how he performed tonight, he said, “I think we did well.”

On calls for him to drop out / whether he has any concerns about his performance: “No. It’s hard to debate a liar. The New York Times pointed out he lied 26 times.”

On whether he’s sick: “I have a sore throat”

Pool was then quickly ushered out

(AFP via Getty Images)

[28 June 2024 05:45 · Oliver O'Connell]

I’m 98, and ‘I’ve got all my marbles’: Dick Van Dyke shrugs off Joe Biden age concerns

Legendary actor Dick Van Dyke defended US President Joe Biden against attacks on his age.

During the first presidential debate of the 2024 election on Thursday, June 27, 81-year-old Biden was once again asked to address voter concerns about how old he is.

Tom Murray reports from Los Angeles.

[28 June 2024 05:35 · Oliver O'Connell]

Who won the debate?

Joe Biden’s stumbling performance in the first presidential debate left a large majority of viewers believing that Donald Trump came out on top, according to a flash CNN poll.

Graeme Massie reports.

[28 June 2024 05:30 · Oliver O'Connell]

‘This cannot be real life’: Jon Stewart unleashes withering takedown of Trump and Biden after car crash debate

Jon Stewart tore into both candidates after the first presidential debate of the 2024 election on Thursday.

The Daily Show host presented a live election special titled Indecision 2024: The First Presidential Debate: America Watches Through Its Fingers on Comedy Central.

“We just watched what you watched,” he said in disbelief at the start of the show.

Tom Murray has the story.

[28 June 2024 05:15 · Oliver O'Connell]

Watch: Harris says ‘performance’ as president is what matters

[28 June 2024 05:08 · Oliver O'Connell]

CNN snap poll: Who won the debate?

CNN’s flash poll of debate watchers found that 67 per cent thought Donald Trump won the debate and 33 per cent thought Joe Biden did.

Before the debate, 45 per cent thought Biden would win and 55 per cent thought Trump would.

Asked about their confidence in the candidates’ ability to lead the country, just 14 per cent had “a lot” of confidence in Biden, 29 per cent “some”, and 57 per cent said “none”.

The corresponding numbers for Trump were 36 per cent, 20 per cent, and 44 per cent, respectively.

[28 June 2024 05:00 · Oliver O'Connell]

‘Morals of an alley cat’: Biden lays into Trump over sexual abuse and affair claims

President Joe Biden laid into Donald Trump over claims of sexual abuse and his affair with Stormy Daniels, saying the former president has the “morals of an alley cat” at Thursday night’s presidential debate.

Biden’s remarks came after Trump attacked his son, Hunter Biden, who was recently found guilty on federal gun charges.

Katie Hawkinson has the story.

[28 June 2024 04:55 · Oliver O'Connell]

Watch: Rep Jasmine Crockett says Trump acting like used car salesman

[28 June 2024 04:50 · Oliver O'Connell]

Former Trump aide turned foe despairs at Biden performance

Alyssa Farah Griffin, who worked in the Trump White House but is now a major Trump critic, was watching the debate for CNN.

Here are her thoughts:

[28 June 2024 04:45 · Oliver O'Connell]

Kamala Harris acknowledges ‘slow start’ but warns of ‘extraordinary stakes' of election

Speaking to CNN’s Anderson Cooper about tonight’s debate, Vice President Kamala Harris said: “It was a slow start, that’s obvious to everyone. I’m talking about the choice in November.”

She said the choice is between “the destruction of democracy” or to “continue on a course that’s about strengthening America’s economy.”

Pressed on Biden’s performance, Harris added: “I got that this is the after-play from the debate, this conversation I’m in. But I think it’s also important to recognize the choice … involves extraordinary stakes.”

“People can debate on style points, but ultimately this election and who is the president of the United States has to be about substance,” said a fiery Harris.