(Courtesy: CNN)
The 90 minute smackdown between two powerhouses has some people questioning the fate of the 2024 presidential election.
On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump threw shots at each other during their first presidential debate in Atlanta since 2020.
Some online users called out Biden’s performance over what appears of him repeatedly stumbling over words and at times freezing up.
English comedian and actor Russell Brand shared a clip of the debate hosted by CNN and moderated by its anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.
“…I can’t believe that just happened,” Brand said.
Other online users expressed surprise that the two candidates were arguing over golf.
Trump bragged he’s in very good shape and won two championships playing golf.
“To do that, you have to be quite smart and you have to be able to hit the ball a long way, he said.
“Can’t hit a ball 50 yards,” Biden responded.
Meanwhile, the 44th U.S. president Barack Obama also shared reaction on X and said, “Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know.”
Obama’s message encourages American voters to trust Biden more rather than Trump due to their values not aligning.
“Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight – and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit,” Obama said.
University of Toronto Scarborough professor Ryan Hurl from the department of political science shared reaction to the debate with The Brandon Gonez Show and said in an email statement, “Prior to the debate, Biden was running behind Trump though not far behind. He needed a strong performance, and he needed to reframe the debate to focus on the accomplishments of his administration. He did not achieve this in the debate.”
“I think the conventional wisdom and immediate reactions to the debate will be proven correct: it was not so much what Biden said, but how he said it, that made this such a disastrous debate for the President and the Democratic Party. He was largely unable to confront the Trump’s exaggerations and distortions, and he seemed physically unwell,” Hurl added.
On Friday, Biden responded to public scrutiny over his cognitive and physical decline by posting a clip on X from a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina.
In addition, people online have shared their mixed feelings and concerns after the presidential faceoff.
The second presidential debate between President Biden and Donald Trump is set for Tuesday, September 10 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
