WASHINGTON – Democratic President Joe Biden gave an uneven and hesitant performance during Thursday’s debate while his Republican opponent Donald Trump bombarded him with numerous, often misleading, accusations. The two oldest presidential candidates ever exchanged sharp, personal insults ahead of November’s US election.
They clashed over issues such as abortion, immigration, the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, their economic policies, and even their golf games, aiming to influence what has been a closely contested race for months. Two White House officials mentioned Biden had a cold, but his unsteady performance worried some Democrats and might increase voter concerns about whether the 81-year-old is fit for another four-year term.
Biden’s campaign team and supporters tried to remain optimistic, though the debate performance was a significant setback in the short term. One prominent Biden donor, speaking anonymously, described the performance as “disqualifying” and anticipated renewed calls for Biden to step aside before the party’s national convention in August.
During the debate’s initial half-hour, a hoarse Biden stumbled over his words several times but gained confidence later, criticizing Trump for his conviction related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, labeling Trump a “felon.” In response, Trump highlighted Hunter Biden’s recent conviction for lying about his drug use to purchase a gun.
Biden pointed out that almost all of Trump’s former cabinet members, including former Vice President Mike Pence, have not endorsed Trump’s campaign. “They know him well, they served with him,” Biden said. “Why are they not endorsing him?”
Trump unleashed numerous criticisms, many of which were long-debunked claims, including that migrants have caused a crime wave, that Democrats support infanticide, and that he actually won the 2020 election.
Both candidates were under pressure to demonstrate their suitability for office. Biden faced questions about his age and mental sharpness, while Trump’s controversial rhetoric and numerous legal troubles were seen as vulnerabilities.
“Biden still seemed old and less coherent than during his last campaign,” said Matt Grossmann, a political science professor at Michigan State University. “Trump didn’t really help himself beyond his existing supporters, but the focus on Biden’s weaknesses overshadowed that.”
Regarding the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters, Trump refused to accept responsibility, claiming many of those arrested were innocent. “This guy has no sense of American democracy,” Biden retorted.
Biden also criticized Trump for enabling the Supreme Court to eliminate a nationwide right to abortion by appointing conservative justices, a contentious issue for Republicans since 2022. Trump argued that Biden wouldn’t support any abortion limits and that returning the issue to the states was the right move.
Trump accused Biden of failing to secure the southern US border, claiming it allowed criminals to enter. “I call it Biden migrant crime,” he said.
The 90-minute debate on CNN occurred unusually early, more than four months before the November 5 Election Day, without a live audience, and with their microphones cut off when it wasn’t their turn to speak to prevent interruptions.
Biden and Trump, who have openly expressed their mutual dislike, did not shake hands or acknowledge each other before or after the debate. They called each other the worst president in history, with Biden labeling Trump a “loser” and a “whiner,” while Trump called Biden a “disaster.” They even argued about their golf games, with Trump boasting about hitting the ball farther and Biden claiming Trump couldn’t carry his own bag.
The debate began with questions about the economy, with polls showing Americans dissatisfied with Biden’s performance despite wage growth and low unemployment. Biden acknowledged inflation but credited himself with stabilizing the economy post-pandemic. Trump claimed he managed “the greatest economy in the history of our country” before the pandemic and took actions to prevent a deeper economic downturn.
The debate highlighted deep polarization and anxiety among voters about the state of American politics. Two-thirds of voters in a May Reuters/Ipsos poll expressed concern about potential violence following the election, recalling the storming of the US Capitol nearly four years ago.
Trump, facing multiple criminal cases including efforts to overturn the 2020 election, continues to falsely claim his defeat was due to fraud and has suggested he would punish his political enemies if re-elected. However, he needs to convince undecided voters that he does not pose a threat to democracy, as Biden asserts.
Biden’s challenge was to deliver a strong performance amid ongoing Republican claims about his declining faculties. While national polls indicate a close race, Biden has trailed Trump in most battleground state polls. This month, Biden lost his financial advantage over Trump, whose fundraising surged after his criminal conviction related to hush money payments.
Both Biden and Trump are unpopular, and many Americans are uncertain about their choices. About a fifth of voters have not chosen a candidate, are leaning toward a third-party candidate, or may abstain from voting, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The second and final debate of this campaign is scheduled for September.
