Here are the key updates from the Biden vs Trump presidential debate in 2024:

• The first presidential debate between incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump occurred on June 28, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. CNN hosted it without a studio audience.
• The debate covered a range of topics including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict, Afghanistan, inflation, childcare, and climate change.
• Trump criticized Biden’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war, claiming he did nothing to stop Russia and even encouraged them to invade. Biden hit back by calling Putin a war criminal trying to reestablish the Soviet Empire.
• On the Israel-Hamas war, Biden stated that Hamas should never be allowed to continue, while Trump said if he was in power, he would not have let the war go on.
• Biden touted signing the Paris Peace Accord during his tenure, while Trump defended his environmental record, claiming the environment was in the best condition during his presidency.
• Both candidates traded barbs over fitness to lead, temperament, disinformation, and the narrative trap. Trump continued to push false claims, requiring fact-checkers to verify his statements.
• The debate was a chance for the two candidates to change public perception, which polling shows is unfavorable towards both of them. Biden is 81 and Trump is 78, offering sharply different visions on most issues.
• The debate was carried live by major news networks like CNN and NBC News. It is expected to have a significant impact on the 2024 presidential election with just over four months until election day34.

What were the most surprising moments from the debate?

Here are some of the most surprising and memorable moments from the Biden vs Trump presidential debate in 2024:

Trump Challenges Biden to a Golf Match

In a surprising personal turn, Trump boasted about his cognitive tests, physical exams, and golf achievements, mocking Biden’s golf skills. He challenged Biden to a golf match, saying “He can’t hit a ball 50 yards.” Biden responded saying he’d be happy to have a driving contest with Trump3.

Heated Exchange Over Abortion Rights

The debate heated up when the candidates clashed over abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Trump falsely claimed Democrats support “ripping the baby out of the womb in the ninth month.” Biden hit back saying that’s “simply not true” and only happens when the mother’s life is in danger1.

Biden Accuses Trump of Having “Morals of an Alley Cat”

In a scathing personal attack, Biden criticized Trump’s moral character, likening it to that of an “alley cat.” He brought up Trump’s legal troubles, including a 2023 jury ruling against him for misconduct and a recent conviction in a New York hush money trial.

Heated Clash Over Trump’s Response to Capitol Attack

The debate also delved into the January 6th Capitol attack, with Biden condemning Trump’s response. Trump rebutted, criticizing the investigations into the attack.

Emotional Moment Over Biden’s Late Son

The debate took an emotional turn when Biden brought up allegations of Trump disrespecting American war dead, which Trump denied. Biden emotionally defended his late son Beau’s honor, challenging Trump’s alleged derogatory remarks.

The debate showcased a confrontational exchange reflecting the deep-seated animosity between the two political rivals. While both candidates stumbled at times, the personal attacks and heated clashes over key issues made for a surprisingly combative and memorable debate.

How did the debate influence the polling numbers for both candidates

The Biden vs Trump presidential debate in 2024 appears to have significantly boosted Trump’s standing in the polls compared to Biden:

• A CNN poll conducted immediately after the debate showed 67% of viewers believed Trump won, compared to just 33% for Biden. This marked a major reversal from the final 2020 debate where Biden was perceived as the winner.
• Prior to the debate, 55% of voters had anticipated Trump would excel, while 45% had faith in Biden’s performance. However, post-debate, 67% of the same voters said Trump outperformed Biden.
• In a head-to-head matchup, Trump now holds 49% support among registered voters compared to Biden’s 43%. When third-party candidates are included, Trump leads 42% to Biden’s 33%.
• The debate seems to have solidified Trump’s advantage, with 52% of voters saying there’s no chance they would support Biden, while 47% say the same about Trump.
• Biden’s team acknowledged he had a “slow start” in the debate, though claimed he finished strong. However, the poll numbers and social media reactions suggest the debate was a “total and complete disaster” for Biden according to former CNN commentator Chris Cilizza.

So in summary, the debate appears to have significantly boosted Trump’s standing in the polls, with a majority of viewers perceiving him as the clear winner over Biden. This has translated into a widening lead for Trump in head-to-head and multi-candidate matchups. The debate seems to have further solidified Trump’s advantage and hurt Biden’s chances heading into the final months of the campaign.

Unexpected Topics

• Trump challenged Biden to a golf match, boasting about his cognitive tests and golf skills.
• The candidates clashed over personal character and moral integrity.
• Biden and Trump traded barbs over fitness to lead, temperament, and disinformation.

Overall, the debate featured a confrontational exchange reflecting the deep animosity between the two political rivals, with both candidates stumbling at times but also delivering some surprising and memorable moments.

Who is the Favourite for the next US president?

• According to FiveThirtyEight’s election forecast model, Biden is favored to win in 521 out of 1,000 simulations, while Trump wins in 479 simulations. The race is considered a pure toss-up at this stage.
• Betting odds aggregated by RealClearPolling show Trump as the favorite, with an average implied probability of 54.8% compared to Biden’s 22.2%. Other potential candidates like Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have much lower odds.
• The Economist’s analysis notes that both Biden and Trump face significant disapproval among voters, making the election more about choosing the “lesser of two evils” rather than a traditional popularity contest.
• While some independent candidates like RFK Jr. are running, most analysts believe they are unlikely to pose a serious challenge to either Biden or Trump.

In summary, the 2024 presidential race is currently a toss-up between the two major party nominees, with Trump holding a slight edge in betting markets but the outcome remaining highly uncertain this far out from Election Day. The first presidential debate on June 27th could be a pivotal moment in shaping the dynamics of the race.