It’s on. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are sharing the same stage for the first time in four years—and that stage is inside CNN’s Atlanta studios. The network claimed bragging rights to booking the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle and is poised to reap the anticipated ratings bonanza.
While the debate is being simulcast on over 20 other networks, the only journalists in the room are moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, who have the dual job of asking tough questions and ensuring that the candidates stick to the ground rules. But it’s a Newser free-for-all on social media, with reporters airing their thoughts on how the debate is unfolding.
Follow along for live reactions as they post.
9:20
The first exchanges are in the books. Tapper asked Biden about the economy and voter dissatisfaction with high prices, while Trump was asked about why he believes that corporations should pay less in taxes. Biden’s hoarse voice is attracting notice among viewers.
Tough night for Biden to not have a very strong sounding voice…
— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) June 28, 2024
Sounds like Biden is sick? Trump also sounds low-energy…
— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) June 28, 2024
Biden is not looking or sounding good. Trump isn’t telling the truth, but he appears sharper and more capable than Biden.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 28, 2024
This is bad. https://t.co/hskNGoC8UI
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) June 28, 2024
Biden looks old. Halting. He just lost his train of thought. His voice is weak. Bad bad bad.
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) June 28, 2024
I have a bad feeling about how the debate is beginning. Trump is speaking nonsense on many topics, but he’s projecting energy; Biden is more substantive but in voice and manner is playing into the Trump narrative that he’s old for this job. Thoughts?
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) June 28, 2024
9:40
The candidates are getting testier and testier with each other, but the muted mics have kept them from interrupting mid-answer. Biden seemed to find his footing when talking about international affairs—even dropping a signature “malarkey.”
What did Biden just say about the border?
Trump: I don’t even know what he just said.— HARRISFAULKNER (@HARRISFAULKNER) June 28, 2024
Substantively, what Trump is saying right now is insane. But it’s completely overshadowed by Biden seeming…very, very old
— Zack Beauchamp (@zackbeauchamp) June 28, 2024
The Biden team hates stories about Biden’s age.
They are about to get a lot more.— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) June 28, 2024
Trump is coming off remarkably reserved during this debate. His advisers have prioritized optics in their discussions pre-debate, believing the visuals — including his facial expressions — are just as important as the substance.
It’s clear Trump is using that advice tonight
— Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) June 28, 2024
Drinking game:
Malarky was uttered— Sharyl Attkisson 🕵️♂️💼🥋 (@SharylAttkisson) June 28, 2024
30 minutes in, not one question about trying to overturn a free and fair election. Not one question about 34 felony counts.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 28, 2024
At 9:34pm, I think the @CNN moderators @jaketapper and @DanaBashCNN are doing a fair job ..this is not an easy task
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) June 28, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) — In first half-hour of debate, a raspy Biden delivers rambling answers while Trump counters with energy and falsehoods.
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) June 28, 2024
10 p.m.
Tapper brought up Trump’s recent felony conviction in the hush money trial, but the former president insisted: “I did nothing wrong.” Tapper and Bash are alternately being praised as even-handed, but also criticized for not providing real-time fact-checking.
I stand corrected about the mic muting. This is a much better and more substantive exchange because there is no crosstalk and shouting over one another.
— Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) June 28, 2024
43 minutes into the debate, President Biden refers to President Trump as a convicted felon. Trump responds that his son is a convicted felon, too. Biden then brings up the civil penalties Trump owes and Stormy Daniels. Trump responds, “I didn’t have sex with a porn star.”
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 28, 2024
Biden doesn’t look interested.
Trump losing early steam with odd Ukraine and Jan 6th answers.
Two are now devolving into personal slights. Moderators needs to take control back.
— Brian Sullivan (@SullyCNBC) June 28, 2024
“You have the morals of an alley cat” — a bit of the old Joe Biden there
(secondarily, Joe Biden also sounds like an old Joe Biden)
— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) June 28, 2024
Must admit @CNN is doing an amazing job fair and balanced
— Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) June 28, 2024
CNN’s decision to abrogate its journalistic responsibilities by not fact checking Trump’s firehose of lies is unforgivable.
This debate is Biden vs the tag team of Trump and CNN’s utter failure as a news organization
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) June 28, 2024
Biden has gotten madder in recent minutes, bringing up sex with porn star, convicted felon, Hitler had some good ideas, Charlottesville. It’s as if he realizes that he has to match Trump’s tougher rhetoric, which began minutes into the debate
— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) June 28, 2024
NEW: Two sources familiar with the situation say “President Biden has a cold.”
— Kelly O’Donnell (@KellyO) June 28, 2024
10:20
As the debate breezes by the hour mark, viewers are expressing increasing frustration with the format, the moderators and the quality of the exchanges between the candidates.
The moderators need to force Trump to answer the question posed. Otherwise, it’s just him spewing lies and nonsense.
— Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) June 28, 2024
The voice, open-mouthed look, and visual contrast between President Biden and former President Trump all have Democrats I’m talking to nearly beside themselves watching this debate
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) June 28, 2024
With no fact-checking, who the hell knows what’s true and what’s BS.
— Bernard Goldberg (@BernardGoldberg) June 28, 2024
The print pool reporter went into the debate studio during the commercial. WHCA advocated for a pool reporter for the duration.
“POTUS and former President Donald Trump were both standing at their lecterns, staring straight ahead as photographers snapped photos. Neither of…
— Kelly O’Donnell (@KellyO) June 28, 2024
“I have never seen anyone lie like this guy,” says Trump.
Launches a long attack on the lies of Biden.
It’s everything that… Biden should have said about Trump from the get-go.
Sheesh.
Kill. Me. Now.
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) June 28, 2024
Pretty clear that we are witnessing the worst presidential debate on style and substance in the history of our nation tonight.
— Tim Miller (@Timodc) June 28, 2024
CNN’s @ddale8 is doing a fabulous job of fact-checking this debate. A pity that his stuff isn’t appearing on the debate broadcast screen.
— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) June 28, 2024
This is the worst of American cable news. It’s not a debate. The candidates are not being interrogated. And they are not capable of interrogating each other it seems.
“You’re the worst president.”
“No, you are”(“I didn’t sleep with a porn star”)
Wow folks.
— Mark Stone (@Stone_SkyNews) June 28, 2024
10:30
Both candidates addressed one of the biggest elephants in the room—their advanced ages. They managed to turn it into a debate about their golf games.
Oh good. They’re arguing about golf!
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 28, 2024
We’re spending more time in golf than January 6th!!!
— Contessa Brewer (@contessabrewer) June 28, 2024
Trump: “Let’s not act like children.”
Biden: “You are a child.”
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 28, 2024
Talking about golf handicaps. Maybe the future is female. #2024presidentialdebate
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) June 28, 2024
Cannot fact check this golf exchange
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) June 28, 2024
10:45
Biden and Trump delivered their closing statements and viewers are offering their closing verdicts as post-debate analysis and commentary kicks in across networks.
My main reaction to tonight’s debate: sadness.
— Sarah Isgur (@whignewtons) June 28, 2024
Biggest win for a Republican in any Presidential debate since 1984.
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) June 28, 2024
Trump should’ve prepped for the debate. Answers often rambling and unfocused. His massive ego hurt him.
— Brian Sullivan (@SullyCNBC) June 28, 2024
This was the #CNNDebate in a nutshell:
Two people trying to convince the country that they shouldn’t vote for the other guy.
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) June 28, 2024
A CNN exec in the control room texts me: “We are very proud of Jake and Dana. Our job was to make sure candidates were heard so voters can make informed decisions and we are pleased we were able to do that.”
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 28, 2024