Biden and Trump's Debate and Its Consequences

On Thursday, July 7, 1403 (June 27, 2024), the presidential candidates of the United States, current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, held their first face-to-face debate in Atlanta at a CNN studio. This was the first debate in the history of presidential debates in the United States where the two candidates have not yet been officially nominated by their parties, and they have 75 days to convince voters that choosing their opponent would be disastrous before the next debate in October. Trump stated that Biden is destroying the country. "Inflation is rampant. Crime is out of control. Europe is in chaos, the Middle East is exploding, Iran has become bold, and China is marching..." Biden responded that Trump would take the country backward. "All progress, all freedoms, all opportunities are at risk. Trump wants the country to forget how dark and distressing things were during his presidency." Public polls indicate that the competition between these two candidates is very close, with the economy and immigration being the most important issues for voters. In this debate, Trump claimed that the U.S. economy is collapsing and that Biden has done a poor job. In contrast, Joe Biden stated that he has changed the weak economy he inherited from Trump but emphasized that more work needs to be done regarding the economy, especially in controlling inflation. On immigration, Trump claimed that Biden has failed to protect Americans from illegal immigrants "who take jobs away from them." He said, "The United States has a border that... is the most dangerous place in the world. He has opened it up, and these killers are entering our country and raping and killing women." Biden also remarked about Trump's presidency, saying, "He separated children from their mothers, put them in cages, and made sure their families were separated." The war in Ukraine was another topic of discussion. Trump claimed that if he were president, Putin would never have attacked Ukraine and stated that if elected, "I will resolve this war before the transfer of power on January 20." Biden argued that Trump's lack of support for U.S. allies emboldens Russia and exacerbates the threat of broader war in Europe. Alan Schroeder, a journalism professor at Northeastern University, believes this debate presents simultaneous opportunities and risks for both candidates. Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a communications professor at the University of Pennsylvania, also points to the advanced age of both candidates. "Are they mentally sharp enough and stable enough to be President of the United States?" Since the end of this debate, due to Biden's instability and verbal slips, the number of those calling for him to withdraw from the race and make way for a younger candidate has increased daily. Several Democratic congressional representatives, Hollywood actors, and Democratic Party donors are among these individuals. Conversely, some Democratic congressional representatives have expressed their support for Biden, and he has repeatedly stated that despite the evident weaknesses in the debate, people should focus on his performance during his presidency and that he intends to continue fighting and finish the unfinished work by defeating Donald Trump. There are doubts within the Democratic Party about Joe Biden's ability to defeat Donald Trump in the 2024 elections - discussions about the continuation of Biden's campaign and Trump's focus on this issue. Joe Biden defended his performance in the election debate with Donald Trump. Doubts from some Democrats about Joe Biden remaining in the election race; George Clooney, one of Biden's biggest supporters, called for him to withdraw. In an interview with ABC, President Biden defended his mental and physical strength. Joe Biden says he will continue to compete in the U.S. presidential election.