In a highly anticipated event, President Joe Biden and his Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump, clashed in their first debate of the 2024 election cycle. The debate took place at CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta on Thursday. The two contenders, standing at podiums mere feet apart, did not exchange the customary handshake as they prepared to argue their cases in a studio devoid of a live audience.
The debate’s agenda covered critical topics such as economic policies, foreign relations, immigration issues, and the state of American democracy. Biden opened the session, immediately criticizing Trump’s tenure for leading an “economy that was in free fall” and mishandling the pandemic response, which he claimed resulted in numerous unnecessary deaths.
Trump swiftly rebutted, praising his 2017-2021 leadership for producing “the greatest economy in the history of our country” and condemning the current inflation rates under Biden’s administration, which he argued are “killing” the United States.
This debate arrives at a crucial juncture, with many voters expressing unease over choosing between Biden, at 81 the oldest incumbent president, and Trump, aged 71 and now a convicted felon. Both candidates are aiming to overcome these challenges and attract undecided voters.
Millions of Americans tuned in to witness the debate, marking the beginning of what promises to be a fiercely contested and intense campaign season. The nation remains deeply polarized and tense, still grappling with the aftermath of the tumultuous 2020 election.