President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle on Thursday night.
Hosted by CNN in Atlanta with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash as moderators, the 90-minute debate covered a range of topics, including the economy, abortion, the Middle East, the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, and Trump’s recent criminal conviction.
Both candidates presented their visions for the future while critiquing each other’s records.
Economic Policies:
- Biden attributed economic challenges like inflation to the “freefall” state Trump left the economy in and highlighted efforts to lower prices, such as reducing insulin costs.
- Trump claimed that the U.S. had its “greatest economy” under his leadership and blamed Biden for high inflation, though his claims about economic growth were misleading.
Healthcare and Abortion:
- Trump supported the Supreme Court’s decision on the abortion pill mifepristone and emphasized his appointment of justices who overturned Roe v. Wade.
- Biden criticized Trump’s stance on abortion, labeling his claim that “everybody” opposed Roe v. Wade as “ridiculous.”
Immigration and Capitol Attack:
- Trump criticized Biden’s handling of immigration, claiming a secure border during his presidency, while Biden refuted these claims with data on terrorist incidents.
- Trump deflected questions about the Jan. 6 Capitol attack by highlighting his administration’s achievements and criticizing Biden’s leadership.
Personal Attacks:
- The debate included moments where both candidates criticized each other’s competency and leadership, diverging from substantive policy discussions.
