Democrats watched in dismay on Thursday night as Joe Biden struggled in the first television debate of the 2024 presidential election against Donald Trump.
The president, hoarse and raspy, appeared low in energy during the CNN debate in Atlanta, Georgia, with the White House later saying he had a cold.
Looking his age and generally 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 regarding 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 the election results.
Social media went into meltdown over the spectacle of the two elderly candidates battling it out while Democrats were left in a state of “deep panic” from early on.
In post-debate analysis, CNN pundits discussed the possibility of his stepping down as the party’s candidate.
The Trump campaign swiftly declared victory and a snap poll on CNN revealed that two-thirds of voters who watched agreed.
Key Points
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Trump pulls no punches as Biden struggles in debate
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Republican candidate claims US was ‘respected all over the world’ on Jan 6
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‘Morals of an alley cat’: Biden lays into Trump over sexual abuse and porn star affair claims
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Social media in meltdown over Trump and Biden’s debate performance
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Snap poll: Who won the debate?
Biden campaign official: ‘Of course’ Joe is not dropping out of the race
16:55 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s a reminder of our top story right now.
The president will not be “dropping out” of the race for the White House and remains “committed” to a second debate against Trump in September, his campaign officials have said.
The 81-year-old incumbent president has been inundated with a swathe of calls to wind down his re-election campaign after what critics are calling an “awful” performance at the first televised debate of the 2024 election on Thursday evening.
“Of course he’s not dropping out,” insists Seth Schuster, a Biden campaign spokesperson.
James Liddell has more.
Biden campaign official: ‘Of course’ Joe is not dropping out of the race
Fetterman defends Biden from ‘Democratic vultures’ after debate
16:35 , Joe Sommerlad
Pennsylvania Democratic senator John Fetterman has come to the defense of Biden after his “rough” debate with Trump.
Fetterman shared a screenshot of a Politico story outlining how “panicked” Democrats are beginning to look for alternatives to Biden after a performance widely viewed as an utter disaster.
“I refuse to join the Democratic vultures on Biden’s shoulder after the debate,” Fetterman wrote on X.
“No one knows more than me that a rough debate is not the sum total of the person and their record.”
Gustaf Kilander has more.
John Fetterman defends Biden from ‘Democratic vultures’ after debate disaster
Biden and Trump clashed over golf at debate – but who really is the best golfer?
16:15 , Joe Sommerlad
For many this club-measuring contest was the most eye-rolling moment of the night but here’s James Liddell to answer the all-important question: just which of these two elderly occupants of the Oval Office really is the finer putter?
Biden and Trump clashed over golf at debate – but who really is the best golfer?
US Supreme Court to deliver ruling on Trump’s presidential immunity claim on Monday
16:05 , Joe Sommerlad
In addition to issuing another slew of highly-consequential judgements this morning, Chief Justice John Roberts has just said that Monday July 1 will mark the end of the nation’s highest court’s legislative term, meaning that an answer on the Orange One’s attempt to shield himself from federal prosecution will have to wait until then.
Here’s Alex Woodward’s most recent reporting on that little matter.
Is Trump immune from prosecution? Supreme Court will soon decide major question
‘I give up’: Hollywood reacts to Trump-Biden debate
15:55 , Joe Sommerlad
This is the only star opinion that matters…
My God, the way this fucker lies. It’s just astonishing.
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) June 28, 2024
…but here’s Tom Murray with more celebrity reaction to last night’s hot mess.
‘I give up’: Hollywood reacts to Trump-Biden debate
Trump fundraising email declares: ‘I love CNN’
15:35 , Joe Sommerlad
Presented without comment.
“I love CNN,” Team Trump’s fundraising email says, “because they gave me the opportunity to wipe the floor with Joe Biden” pic.twitter.com/HX205rNcok
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 28, 2024
House minority leader tells Biden not to step away from nomination
15:15 , Joe Sommerlad
Hakeem Jeffries (sort of) calling for calm here (in the briefest, gruffest way possible) after last night’s debate.
“No,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says when asked if Biden should drop out after his performance last night, per @haleytalbotcnn
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) June 28, 2024
Hakeem Jeffries just emerged from his office with his leadership team.
I asked him for his reaction to the debate.
“We’re going to win the House in November,” Jeffries said before heading onto the House floor.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) June 28, 2024
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi has also been declining to come out unequivocally for Biden this morning, but does offer this attack on Trump.
Pelosi declined to comment on Biden’s debate performance this morning, but “compared to a person who was lying the whole time, we saw integrity on one side and dishonesty on the other.” On Trump: “He’s a fool. He thinks I planned my own assassination. He’s sicker than I thought.” pic.twitter.com/W0p1Acr6vN
— Alejandro Alvarez 🫡 (@aletweetsnews) June 28, 2024
Jim Clyburn, 83, has also been revealing a surprise turn of pace that few thought he still had in him. Bravo sir!
Jim Clyburn at a FULL JOG this morning to avoid press questions on Biden’s debate performance
— K Tully-McManus (@ktullymcmanus) June 28, 2024
If you’re wondering about the extent of liberal panic right now, look no further than this…
Joe Scarborough: ‘The worst debate performance in modern political history
14:55 , Joe Sommerlad
The co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, himself a former congressman, did not mince words on his show this morning, denouncing Biden’s debate performance and turning his ire on California governor Gavin Newsom for standing up for the president immediately after last night’s debacle.
Newsome said in the immediate aftermath: “I will never turn my back on President Biden. I don’t know a Democrat in my party that would do so. And especially after tonight. We have his back. We run not the 90-yard dash. We’re all in, we’re going to double down in the next few months. We’re gonna win this election.”
But Scarborough was having none of it, addressing Newsom directly as he said: “You are hurting America by closing your eyes, putting your head down and saying we’re going to plough ahead with what we all saw last night…
“It was the worst debate performance in modern political history.”
Guests Eugene Robinson and John Heilemann were equally unsparing – all of which comes as a doubly cruel blow for Biden as Morning Joe is apparently his favourite show!
“A really really bad and significantly bad night because it reinforced what is Biden’s biggest weakness and that’s a problem in running for president. It is not a problem in being president, but it’s a problem in running for president in this very tight race.” — @Eugene_Robinson pic.twitter.com/qCjWq9pF7l
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) June 28, 2024
.@jheil: “Likelihood is, this may be the only debate we see — there’s a lot of time between now and Nov 5. The things on the calendar where there are tens of millions of viewers tuning in, there aren’t that many. So how do you turn the page on this?” https://t.co/w8RQ74oMXh pic.twitter.com/S6XKfkXHPo
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) June 28, 2024
Biden says Border Patrol endorsed him. They say different
14:35 , Joe Sommerlad
The president claimed that the US Border Patrol endorsed him during Thursday’s presidential debate – but its union immediately shot back and denied it.
John Bowden has more.
Biden says Border Patrol endorsed him. They say different
Biden rejects calls to drop out and commits to second debate in September
14:27 , Joe Sommerlad
The president is refusing to go quietly after last night’s disaster as speculation about panicking Democrats racing to replace him continues to run rife.
As it stands, he’s still down to appear at a second debate with Trump on ABC scheduled for Tuesday 10 September.
NEW, as just reported on @CNN: Not only does @POTUS not plan to drop out, Biden remains committed to a second debate in September, an adviser tells me
— Kayla Tausche (@kaylatausche) June 28, 2024
Biden calls Trump a ‘whiner’
14:15 , Joe Sommerlad
I can think of a lot worse things to call him.
Here’s Alex Woodward on Biden failing to take his opportunities to hold his rival to account.
Biden calls Trump a ‘whiner’ during car-crash presidential debate
Trump says he won’t block abortion pill
13:55 , Joe Sommerlad
“I agree with their decision to have done that, and I will not block it,” Trump said last night of the US Supreme Court’s decision to throw out a challenge to the federal government’s approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.
John Bowden has more.
Trump says he won’t block abortion pill at first presidential debate
Trump says US was ‘respected all over the world’ on Jan 6
13:35 , Joe Sommerlad
Biden confronted Trump for the first time in person about his role on January 6 2021, asking him to denounce the far-right Proud Boys gang once again as well as the other rioters who attacked the US Capitol in part of a Trump-encouraged bid to stop the certification of the 2020 election results in Congress.
Alex Woodward reports on the Republican’s response.
Trump says US was ‘respected all over the world’ on Jan 6 in first debate
Biden lays into Trump over sexual abuse and porn star affair claims
13:15 , Joe Sommerlad
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key exchanges.
Katie Hawkinson has this on Biden’s attack on Trump over Stormy Daniels and having “the morals of an alley cat”.
Biden lays into Trump over sexual abuse and affair claims: ‘Morals of an alley cat’
US allies fear a new Trump presidency may be one step closer after Biden ‘implodes’
12:55 , Joe Sommerlad
A little global reaction for you now from observers in the UK, Japan and Australia, all of whom are keen to know how this all might play out in November and whether a “Trump 2.0” is on the cards.
US allies fear new Trump presidency after Biden ‘implodes’ at debate
Voices: ‘Was Trump vs Biden really the best America can do?’
12:35 , Joe Sommerlad
President Biden managed to stay upright for 90 minutes and didn’t fall asleep – but that’s about as good as it got, writes Jon Sopel.
Biden’s performance was beyond awful – the time has come to step aside | Jon Sopel
Jon Stewart unleashes withering takedown of Trump and Biden after car crash debate: ‘This cannot be real life’
12:15 , Joe Sommerlad
The Daily Show host tore into both candidates after the first presidential debate.
Stewart 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.
“Let me just say after watching tonight’s debate, both of these men should be using performance-enhancing drugs,” Stewart joked.
Tom Murray reports.
Jon Stewart unleashes withering takedown of Trump and Biden after car crash debate
Biden resurrects his ‘lying dog-faced pony soldier’ insult for Trump post-debate
11:55 , Joe Sommerlad
The president and first lady appeared in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Atlanta after the debate last night at around 11pm and were met with chants of “four more years”, according to the official pool report.
Biden’s campaign hosted a debate watch party at the venue, where supporters gathered with signs and a DJ played music.
“I can’t thank you all enough,” Dr Jill Biden told the crowd. “Joe did such a great job. What did Trump do? Lied!”
Her husband then spoke for a few minutes, thanking supporters and quoting a Western film (believed to be Tyrone Power’s Pony Soldier from 1952) to onec again call Trump “a lying, dog-faced pony soldier”.
“They’re going to be out there fact-checking,” Biden 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.
“You are the reason why America is as good as we are.”
Here he is stopping at a nearby Waffle House for the coffee he badly needed earlier in the night.
Biden makes pit stop at Waffle House in Atlanta after first presidential debate
Dumbstruck silence and despair: Behind the scenes at the Trump-Biden debate
11:35 , Joe Sommerlad
The president started the debate sounding hoarse and looking every day of his 81 years, writes Andrew Feinberg from backstage at the first presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia.
Behind the scenes at the Trump-Biden debate: Dumbstruck silence and despair
Can the Democrats replace Biden?
11:15 , Joe Sommerlad
“Sleepy” Joe Biden just gave the Democratic Party a wake-up call. The concerns about the incumbent president’s age and mental fitness are not going away anytime soon.
So what can his party do about it, if anything?
John Bowden answers that question.
Debate leaves Democrats wanting to replace Biden. Can they do that?
Watch: Harris says Trump ‘lied over and over and over again’ in first debate
10:45 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s the US vice president attacking the Republican presidential challenger over his debate perfomance last night.
Would Biden even have been up there if she were more popular with voters?
Donald Trump ‘lied over and over and over again’ in first debate, says Kamala Harris
Biden faces calls to stand down after ‘historically bad performance’
10:25 , Joe Sommerlad
The US president has faced calls to stand down from the former UK ambassador to the US after a “historically bad performance” in his TV debate with Trump last night.
Lord Kim Darroch, who served as British ambassador to the United States between January 2016 and December 2019, urged Biden to stand down.
He said on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Joe Biden should stand aside. This was a historically bad performance. He was inaudible, incoherent and lost his train of thought several times.
“Some of his answers simply made no sense. The one, ‘we have beaten Medicare’, will be repeated a thousand times between now and the election. He should stand down – it’s very hard to see him winning now.”
On the same programme, former Democratic campaign manager Mike Murphy said of Biden: “He looked very, very old. Nobody’s going to have to rent The Mummy on television this weekend. They can get it for free.”
Ouch.
The same man also likened Biden to a “boxer who can’t raise his hands” and called the situation: “Heartbreaking, but also a political disaster.”
Here’s Joe Middleton’s report.
Biden faces calls to stand down by former UK ambassador to the US
Truth Social: Trump celebrates debate ‘win’ with golf videos
10:05 , Joe Sommerlad
The Republican – who was calmer and more measured on stage than might have been expected but still found time for at least 30 false claims to Biden’s nine, according to CNN’s Daniel Dale – has inevitably been declaring victory online in its aftermath.
Perhaps more surprisingly, he’s also been posting golf videos after arguing with Biden about his handicap in one of the debate’s most ridiculous and senior of senior moments.
Here’s Alisha Rahaman Sarkar on that ridiculous squabble.
Trump-Biden US presidential debate devolves into squabble over golf handicaps
Democrats begin calling for Biden to step aside after ‘horrible’ debate performance against Trump
09:45 , Joe Sommerlad
Ahead of last night’s presidential debate in Atlanta, Democrats had one piece of advice for President Biden: Be yourself.
Now they’re in a state of “deep panic” and sounding the alarm.
Here’s Eric Garcia.
Panicked Democrats call for Biden to step aside after ‘horrible’ debate against Trump
Misinformation, abortion and Democratic ‘panic’: Key takeaways from the first Biden-Trump debate
09:15 , Joe Sommerlad
Here’s Katie Hawkinson’s top takeaways from Georgia.
Misinformation and Democratic ‘panic’: Key takeaways from the Biden-Trump debate
Trump bulldozes Biden with lies while stumbling president fails to keep up
08:45 , Joe Sommerlad
Good morning!
If you’re just joining us, here’s our main story on last night’s CNN debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump from Alex Woodward.
It was, frankly, a pretty disastrous evening for the president that has left Democrats in despair and calling for him to step aside after a confused and raspy performance on stage in Atlanta that saw Biden lose his train of thought at least once and end up squabbling with Trump over their respective golf handicaps.
Trump bulldozes Biden with lies while stumbling president fails to keep up
Social media in meltdown over Trump and Biden’s debate performance
08:15 , Oliver O’Connell
Social media users went into meltdown over the first presidential debate of 2024 in a mixture of horror and humor…
‘Pure comedy’: Social media in meltdown over Trump-Biden debate
Watch: Biden’s post-debate Waffle House visit
07:45 , Oliver O’Connell
Trump says US was ‘respected all over the world’ on Jan 6
07:15 , Oliver O’Connell
Joe Biden confronted Donald Trump for the first time in person about his role on January 6, asking him to denounce the far-right Proud Boys gang and the other rioters who attacked the US Capitol.
In their first debate ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Trump refused to say whether he would condemn the deadly attack.
He failed to respond to questions about voters who are concerned that Trump violated his oath to accept elections as they prepare to cast their ballots in the next one.
CNN moderator Jake Tapper tried to ask him twice.
Alex Woodward reports.
Trump says US was ‘respected all over the world’ on Jan 6 in first debate
Biden condemns Trump after he refuses to say he’ll accept 2024 results
06:45 , Oliver O’Connell
In his first debate with Joe Biden ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump refused to explicitly say he would accept the results this November if he lost.
The debate in Atlanta was widely seen as a debacle with the president stumbling over answers and rambling. Trump meanwhile spouted lies and falsehoods throughout, mostly failing to answer questions and had to be pressed three times on whether he would accept the 2024 election results.
Alex Woodward reports.
Biden calls Trump a ‘whiner’ during car-crash presidential debate
Dumbstruck silence and despair: Behind the scenes at the Trump-Biden debate
06:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Andrew Feinberg writes:
Behind the scenes at the first debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the buzzy atmosphere of the spin room descended into horror-struck silence within the first few minutes of the president opening his mouth.
Continue reading…
Behind the scenes at the Trump-Biden debate: Dumbstruck silence and despair
Key takeaways from the first Biden-Trump debate
06:20 , Oliver O’Connell
Katie Hawkinson breaks down the key takeaways from tonight in Atlanta:
Watch: Biden speaks to supporters after debate performance
06:15 , Oliver O’Connell
President Biden speaks to supporters following the CNN Presidential Debate: “I can’t think of one thing he said that was true. I’m not being facetious. We’re going to beat this guy. We need to beat this guy.” pic.twitter.com/5wNFIM8Rl5
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 28, 2024
Only a select few could tell Biden to step down, Democrats say
06:10 , Oliver O’Connell
Speaking to reporters, Democrats say only a very select few could talk to Joe Biden about the possibility of stepping down should it come to that.
Barak Ravis of Axios was told that only Jill Biden and Barack Obama could have that conversation with the president, while his colleague Andrew Solender said it would have to start with Obama and Bill Clinton.
One House Democrat told me any conversation on replacing Biden “isn’t going to happen in the House or the Senate.”
“It’s going to start with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. It’s going to be people of that caliber to go to him and say, ‘You’ve got to move.’” https://t.co/ld3dODjtxS
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) June 28, 2024
Democrats begin calling for Biden to step aside after ‘horrible’ debate performance against Trump
06:00 , Oliver O’Connell
Eric Garcia writes:
Ahead of the first presidential debate in Atlanta, Democrats had one piece of advice for President Joe Biden: Be yourself.
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi said it. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, who is running for Senate in Biden’s home state of Delaware said it. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent that people should ask what former president Donald Trump needed to do to have “half a chance” at sounding “barely cogent.”
But Democrats began to sound the alarm after Biden’s performance in Atlanta on Thursday evening.
Continue reading…
Panicked Democrats call for Biden to step aside after ‘horrible’ debate against Trump
Bidens greet supporters at watch-party and stop at Waffle House to pick up dinner
05:49 , Oliver O’Connell
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!”
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.”
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.”
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.
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
I’m 98, and ‘I’ve got all my marbles’: Dick Van Dyke shrugs off Joe Biden age concerns
05:45 , Oliver O’Connell
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.
Dick Van Dyke shrugs off Joe Biden age concerns: I’m 98, ‘I’ve got all my marbles’
Who won the debate?
05:35 , Oliver O’Connell
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.
Who won the debate? Snap poll results following Trump-Biden face-off
‘This cannot be real life’: Jon Stewart unleashes withering takedown of Trump and Biden after car crash debate
05:30 , Oliver O’Connell
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.
Jon Stewart unleashes withering takedown of Trump and Biden after car crash debate
Watch: Harris says ‘performance’ as president is what matters
05:15 , Oliver O’Connell
VP: I’m not going to spend all night with you talking about the last 90 minutes when I’ve been watching the last three and half years of performance pic.twitter.com/ptvxo3Kq7w
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 28, 2024
CNN snap poll: Who won the debate?
05:08 , Oliver O’Connell
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.
‘Morals of an alley cat’: Biden lays into Trump over sexual abuse and affair claims
05:00 , Oliver O’Connell
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.
Biden lays into Trump over sexual abuse and affair claims: ‘Morals of an alley cat’
Watch: Rep Jasmine Crockett says Trump acting like used car salesman
04:55 , Oliver O’Connell
Crockett: What we saw was someone who sat up there and acting like as if he was some used car salesman that wanted to tell us whatever and pretend as if it was fact pic.twitter.com/d4oq9dsnfD
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 28, 2024
Former Trump aide turned foe despairs at Biden performance
04:50 , Oliver O’Connell
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:
Hearing from countless viewers of all political stripes and the consensus is Biden needs to be replaced.
It’s worse than I believe most people imagined.
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) June 28, 2024
The optics and Biden’s performance are so bad and concerning that I fear all substantive policy discussion will be forgotten.
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) June 28, 2024
This is genuinely hard to watch.
America deserves better than these two options.
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) June 28, 2024
A convicted felon and a man whose health I am genuinely worried about.
Americans deserve better.
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) June 28, 2024
The policy substance of this debate will quickly be forgotten. But millions of Americans across the country are talking tonight to their families and friends about whether the POTUS is up to another 4 years.
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) June 28, 2024
The policy substance of this debate will quickly be forgotten. But millions of Americans across the country are talking tonight to their families and friends about whether the POTUS is up to another 4 years.
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) June 28, 2024
Kamala Harris acknowledges ‘slow start’ but warns of ‘extraordinary stakes’ of election
04:45 , Oliver O’Connell
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.
VP: Look at what happened during the course of the debate. Donald Trump lied over and over and over again. He would not disavow what happened on January 6. He would not give a clear answer on whether he would stand by the election results.. pic.twitter.com/7U6KRKU4Pq
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 28, 2024
Watch: ‘It’s kind of a Defcon 1 moment’ says former Obama adviser
04:40 , Oliver O’Connell
Former Obama adviser David Plouffe breaks the news to MSNBC viewers about Biden’s debate performance:
“It’s kind of a Defcon 1 moment.” pic.twitter.com/V3fS7U5sVX
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) June 28, 2024
Newsom says he would never turn his back on Biden
04:35 , Oliver O’Connell
The Independent’s Andrew Feinberg reports from the debate spin room.
California Governor Gavin Newsom told reporters: “I would never turn my back on President Biden. Never turn my back on President Biden, I don’t know a Democrat in my party. That would do so. And especially after tonight, we have his back. We run not the 90-yard dash we are all in. We’re gonna double down in the next few months. We’re gonna win this election. Everyone’s questioning his performance. Well, how about the substance?”
Melania Trump breaks with tradition by skipping presidential debate
04:30 , Oliver O’Connell
Melania Trump will break a long-standing tradition by not attending the 2024 presidential debate on Thursday evening.
The former first lady was nowhere to be seen when Trump deboarded his plane in Atlanta, Georgia ahead of the first debate against President Joe Biden since 2020.
Ms Trump has been largely absent from his 2024 presidential campaign. She has already missed key events, including the kickoff of the 2024 election in Iowa and her husband’s Super Tuesday victory party.
Melania Trump breaks with tradition by skipping presidential debate
Watch: ‘Should he be in this race tomorrow morning?’
04:15 , Oliver O’Connell
MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace after the presidential debate:
“There is a conversation happening inside Biden’s circle … rang[ing] from whether he should be in this race tomorrow morning to, ‘What was wrong with him?’” pic.twitter.com/AZ9bPfrON3
— The Recount (@therecount) June 28, 2024
Read Biden campaign’s post-debate statement
04:12 , Oliver O’Connell
Biden campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon released the following statement after the debate:
“Tonight, President Biden presented a positive and winning vision for the future of America – one in which every American has a fair shot at the American dream, where every one of our rights are protected, and where our president fights to strengthen our democracy – not to tear it down.
“On the other side of the stage was Donald Trump, who offered a dark and backwards window into what America will look like if he steps foot back in the White House: a country where women are forced to beg for the health care they need to stay alive. A country that puts the interests of billionaires over working people. And a former president who not once, not twice, but three times, failed to promise he would accept the results of a free and fair election this November.
“Trump’s performance tonight reminded the American people why they fired him four years ago, and reinforced just how high the stakes are this November for the future of our country.”