First Presidential Debate Verdict: Did Trump's performance earn him a 1-0 lead over Biden?

CNN hosted the inaugural presidential debate of the 2024 campaign, featuring former Republican President Donald Trump, 78, and Democratic President Joe Biden, 81. The 90-minute debate focused on contentious topics such as inflation, immigration, abortion rights, and foreign policy, with both candidates aiming to sway voters ahead of the November 5 election.

Strict rules governed the debate, including speaking time limits, a ban on notes, and an audience-free environment to prevent biassed reactions.

Following the debate, a CNN poll revealed that 67% of viewers believed Trump emerged as the winner, while 33% favoured Biden. This marked a significant shift from CNN's post-2020 debate poll, where 53% viewed Biden as the winner compared to 39% for Trump. Viewers expressed concerns over Biden's leadership abilities, underscoring doubts about his performance.


Historically, televised debates have influenced electoral outcomes, dating back to the pivotal 1960 debate between JFK and Richard Nixon.

The New York Times also assessed Trump's victory in the debate, with columnist Josh Barro highlighting Biden's perceived shortcomings: "Joe Biden failed to demonstrate presidential competence. In the initial 20 minutes, he appeared disoriented and elderly, while Trump presented a more coherent image, securing a decisive win."

Criticism of Biden's performance extended across media platforms, with observers on social media noting Trump's assertiveness and Biden's apparent confusion. CNN commentator Alyssa Farah Griffin reported a striking lack of confidence in Biden among debate viewers, while former CNN analyst Chris Cillizza described Biden's performance as "a total disaster," emphasising his difficulty in articulating clear answers.

Despite the backlash, Biden's team defended his performance, with Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledging a slow start but praising a strong finish, reported Fox News. First Lady Jill Biden publicly supported her husband, commending his handling of questions and knowledge.

However, within the Democratic Party, concerns mounted over Biden's debate performance. Democratic activist Jay Surdukowski expressed apprehension, suggesting Biden's chances could be jeopardised.

As the first of several debates leading up to the election, Biden faces challenges in regaining momentum. For now, the scorecard reads Trump: 1, Biden: 0, setting the stage for a closely watched campaign season ahead.