Watch the 2024 Biden and Trump debate live on CNN here. The debate will last 90 minutes. Here are all the details about the Trump-Biden debate.
Get ready for an unforgettable political evening! In this long-awaited event, CNN will host an exciting debate between current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. In this crucial debate, the two men will face each other in a heated exchange covering the most important issues concerning the American people. This debate will be a rare opportunity to see two of the most influential figures in American politics share their views and compete for the hearts and minds of voters.
Watch Biden and Trump debate live on at this link
Biden and Trump debate 2024 : A long-awaited debate around the world
Joe Biden and his opponent Donald Trump are preparing for one of the most significant moments in the U.S. presidential elections so far. Within hours, they will face off in the first of two scheduled presidential debates 2024, both of which are critical for their campaigns as they strive for a second term in the White House in the upcoming November elections.
It is noteworthy that the first Biden and Trump debate in 2020 attracted at least 73 million viewers, according to data from Nielsen, a media research company. This makes it the third most-watched debate in history. The highest viewership was for the 2016 debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, which had 84 million viewers, followed by the 1980 debate between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan with 81 million viewers.
The much-anticipated historical meeting will be moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash from CNN. Tapper has previously moderated several Republican debates, while Bash has moderated Democratic debates.
The Biden and Trump debate on CNN Thursday night is expected to make history as it will be the first time a current and former president have ever debated. This will mark the first appearance of both presidents on the debate stage since their 2020 debates, when Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic dominated the political scene.
Thursday’s debate will be the first in the current election cycle to feature a presidential debate with major party candidates in modern history.
Current President Biden, the oldest president in U.S. history, has his own record under scrutiny. Former President Trump has a criminal record, including a conviction in New York for falsifying business records related to “hush money” payments, and charges stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, as well as issues related to his handling of classified documents after leaving office. Biden’s son, who was convicted on gun possession charges, is often targeted by Trump and other Republicans.
The debate will take place about 3 miles from where Trump’s first mugshot was taken after being charged with attempting to interfere in Georgia’s 2020 election results.
The 90-minute Biden and Trump debate is set to begin at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on CNN, moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, and will take place in the network’s studios in Atlanta without an audience.
comparison table between Donald Trump and Joe Biden
Here’s an updated comparison table for Donald Trump and Joe Biden in 2024
| Category | Donald Trump | Joe Biden |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Donald John Trump | Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. |
| Date of Birth | June 14, 1946 | November 20, 1942 |
| Political Party | Republican Party | Democratic Party |
| Presidency | 45th President of the United States (2017-2021) | 46th President of the United States (2021-Present) |
| 2024 Presidential Campaign | Announced candidacy | Running for re-election |
| Prior Political Office | None | 47th Vice President of the United States (2009-2017) |
| Professional Background | Businessman, TV personality | Lawyer, U.S. Senator |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in economics (Wharton School) | Bachelor’s degree in history and political science (University of Delaware), Law degree (Syracuse University) |
| Key Domestic Policies | Tax cuts, deregulation, border security | COVID-19 relief, infrastructure, climate action |
| Foreign Policy | America First, trade wars, NATO skepticism | Multilateralism, re-engaging with allies, climate leadership |
| Healthcare Stance | Repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act | Strengthen the Affordable Care Act, public option |
| Climate Change | Withdrew from Paris Agreement | Rejoined Paris Agreement, ambitious climate goals |
| Economy | Focus on deregulation, tax cuts for corporations | Focus on middle class, infrastructure spending, raising taxes on wealthy |
| Immigration | Border wall, travel bans | Pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, end travel bans |
| Supreme Court Appointments | Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett | Ketanji Brown Jackson, other nominations pending |
| COVID-19 Response | Operation Warp Speed, emphasis on state responses | National mask mandate (initially proposed), vaccine distribution strategy |
| Military | Increased military spending, Space Force | End of Afghanistan War, focus on diplomacy |
| Major Legislation | Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 | American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 |
| Controversies | Impeachment (twice), handling of COVID-19, alleged ties with Russia | Handling of Afghanistan withdrawal, accusations of nepotism (Hunter Biden), ongoing legal issues |
| Personal Life | Married to Melania Trump, 5 children | Married to Jill Biden, 4 children |
| Net Worth | Estimated $2.6 billion (as of 2024) | Estimated $10 million (as of 2024) |
This table provides a comprehensive and updated comparison of both figures across various categories as of 2024. If you need more details or further updates on any specific aspect, please let me know!
Topics that will be discussed in the Trump-Biden debate
In the upcoming Trump-Biden debate, a wide range of critical topics are set to be discussed, reflecting the pressing issues facing the nation today. From economic policies and healthcare reforms to foreign relations and immigration strategies, the debate promises to delve into pivotal matters that will shape the future trajectory of the United States. Both candidates are expected to present contrasting visions and policies, aiming to sway voters with their perspectives on these key topics.
1- What Trump Will Focus On: Biden’s Record or His Grievances
Those who haven’t followed the 2024 presidential race closely may be surprised by how much Trump focuses on past issues in his most frequent comments. In rallies and speeches at right-wing gatherings, Trump devotes a significant portion of his rhetoric to personal grievances, such as rehashing long-dismissed claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, portraying the January 6, 2021, Capitol rioters as patriots, and criticizing the criminal charges he faces in Washington, Florida, and Georgia as political attacks.
While this list of grievances may energize Trump’s supporters, it is unlikely to convince a broader audience of voters considering his candidacy that he is focused on their interests.
This is why Trump’s advisors and allies have urged him to concentrate on issues like the economy, crime, and inflation during his debate with Biden.
The lack of an in-studio audience might help Trump, who thrives on audience interactions, to stay on track.
2- How Biden Seeks to Address the Age Question
Every day 81-year-old Biden wakes up as president, he sets a record as the oldest person to hold the office. Any slip-up, unclear statement, or lost thought on the debate stage will be intensely scrutinized or even twisted by allies of 78-year-old Trump.
Thursday night will mark Biden’s first extended appearance before millions of Americans since the last round of debates nearly four years ago. The president aims to avoid doing anything that might heighten concerns about his age, turning the age question into a statement about experience. He asks voters to trust someone who will be 86 by the end of his second term but enters the Biden and Trump debate with more experience than anyone else who has run for president, capable of using hard-earned knowledge to negotiate and pass bipartisan legislation.
The best scenario for Biden is to replicate his State of the Union address from earlier this year: a strong and clear performance showing the president relaxed, confident, and effectively countering his opponent’s attacks. This would alleviate concerns about age and widen the gap in the tight race so far. The worst-case scenario? Making a mistake that makes Biden’s age a major concern for voters through Election Day.
The upcoming Biden and Trump debate is a critical moment where the president will need to demonstrate his capability and experience, reassuring voters about his ability to lead despite his age.
3- What Trump Will Say About Abortion
In 2016, Trump promised to address the issue of abortion and reproductive rights decisively. Many conservatives were skeptical that he would attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade, while most liberals believed he would do everything in his power to do so.
Eight years later, there is a similar contradiction across the political spectrum. Right-wing supporters who celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe are now sometimes frustrated by Trump’s repeated refusal to publicly push for a national abortion ban. Meanwhile, the left is certain that if elected, Trump will embrace the most conservative stance.
What Trump says during the Biden and Trump debate will be less interesting in terms of content than for whom he is seen targeting.
It seems unlikely, but Trump might try to strengthen his position with the religious right by talking tough on this issue. More likely, he will deflect from Biden and attack him, and at most, he might talk about his Supreme Court nominees and say that the issue is best left to the states.
Part of the unpredictability here stems from how the Republican primaries have played out. Trump did not attend any debates, and the candidates who did were mostly cautious about the issue. Despite its importance to some conservatives, it has elicited strong backlash even against more moderate Republicans.
4- Focus on Inflation Under Biden’s Administration
Despite inflation slowing from its peak in June 2022, the cumulative impact of high prices has long weighed on Biden’s approval ratings.
In interviews, Biden has often downplayed the economic crisis that many Americans feel, defending his administration’s economic record. In an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, he said, “No president has achieved what we’ve achieved in terms of job creation and reducing inflation,” and falsely claimed that inflation was at 9% when he took office. In reality, inflation peaked more than 16 months after he assumed office.
Biden has largely minimized the economic crisis that many Americans say they are experiencing, and has defended his administration’s economic record.
A pro-Trump “dark money” group called Securing American Greatness released a TV ad in Georgia days before the Biden and Trump debate, accusing Biden of “denying reality” about inflation. The narrator in the ad says, “Why won’t Biden admit how bad things are? Is it deceit or senility?”
However, Biden has a ready response: experts have said many of Trump’s proposals, including steep tariffs, severe immigration restrictions, and measures that would give the president more power to cut interest rates, would worsen inflation.
5- What Biden will Say About Trump and Democracy
In his speeches and political appearances since launching his campaign earlier this year, Biden has repeatedly expressed concern that democracy, a fundamental cornerstone of American society, is at stake if Trump regains the White House.
During his State of the Union address earlier this year, Biden stated, “Freedom and democracy haven’t been under assault like this since President Lincoln and the Civil War.”
On Thursday, Biden will have the first opportunity to confront Trump face-to-face about his denial of election results that led to the events of January 6, 2021, his appeasement of Russia at the expense of U.S. allies, and his stated intention to seek revenge against those who have politically wronged him.
6- How Biden Deals with Israel and Gaza
While not registering as the top issue for voters in most polls, the specter of ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has cast a shadow over Biden’s campaign, specifically his ability to revive the diverse coalition of center-left that led him to victory four years ago.
Today, this broad coalition is filled with individuals holding strongly divergent views on the conflict and the president’s handling of the U.S.-Israeli relationship under its right-wing leader, Benjamin Netanyahu. Neither side of the domestic debate leans towards compromise, making it difficult to imagine Biden satisfying everyone left of Trump.
The Biden campaign is well aware of all this, of course, so it will be intriguing—and instructive—to hear his message and analyze where it targets.
Predicting what he will focus on is challenging due to Trump’s presence, who, as usual, has thrown a number of opinions on the war and its political ramifications.
7- Their differences on foreign policy
Trump’s affinity for Russian President Vladimir Putin is no secret. Pinpointing his views on the aid provided by the United States and NATO to Ukraine, which has been resisting Russian invasion for over two years, is somewhat challenging. However, what we do know suggests that a second Trump administration would be more welcome in Moscow than in Kyiv.
Days ago, Reuters reported that two senior Trump foreign policy advisers had crafted a plan theoretically aimed at ending the war by conditioning lethal U.S. aid to Ukraine on Kyiv entering peace talks with Putin. If Russia fails to come to the table, the support would escalate further within this framework. Crucially, a ceasefire accompanying the talks could freeze the conflict along its current fronts.
The Trump campaign itself distanced partly from the plan, noting the advisers who drafted it were not on the payroll. However, the story resonated because it appeared akin to something Trump might say or propose, particularly given his vague pledges to end the war immediately if elected.
In contrast, Biden’s worldview is different. He strongly supports Ukraine and has spent significant political capital persuading the U.S. Congress to approve military aid to Kyiv. He has also positioned himself at the forefront of liberal Western Europe, particularly within NATO, which has done nearly everything but deploy troops across the borders.
8- Their differences on borders and immigration
Trump and the Republicans made borders a central issue in their election campaign, with Trump pledging to use federal government authority “to remove known gang members, suspected drug dealers, and cartel members from the United States.” He also floated some of the more bizarre suggestions, including creating a UFC league for immigrants.
Biden’s hot-and-cold immigration policies as president provide ample room to showcase his approach as compassionate, aimed at maintaining family unity, professions, and life, but they also expose him to criticism from both sides.
Upon assuming office, Biden reversed or rescinded some of Trump’s strict immigration policies. However, he backtracked on some of these policies as migrant numbers surged and border cities became overwhelmed, impacting his approval ratings. He crafted a comprehensive immigration reform package, the most expansive from both parties in years, but Trump thwarted it to campaign against Biden on this issue. He issued executive actions limiting migrant crossings and protecting some undocumented immigrants from deportation.
Sources told CNN that Biden is expected to continue his critique on immigration, describing Trump’s policies as extreme and his own as compassionate. As they prepare for the upcoming Biden and Trump debate, their stances on immigration are likely to spark intense scrutiny and debate among voters.
In conclusion, the Biden and Trump debate serves as a pivotal moment in American politics, highlighting stark differences in policy, approach, and vision for the nation’s future. As voters weigh their decisions, the debates have illuminated critical issues from healthcare and immigration to foreign policy and economic strategies. Beyond the rhetoric and exchanges, these debates are a testament to the democratic process, providing voters with crucial insights into the leadership styles and priorities of each candidate. Ultimately, the outcome of these debates will shape not only the upcoming election but also the trajectory of the United States in the years ahead.
