Who won the presidential debate? Experts reveal whether Trump or Biden prevailed after their first 2024 matchup
The first showdown of the 2024 presidential debate was full of extraordinary moments.
President Biden’s advanced age was evident from the start, as he froze mid-sentence just 12 minutes in and repeatedly cleared his throat due to a cold.
That was just the beginning of his gaffes and mumbling during the debate, which sent Democrats into complete panic, leading some to say Biden should be replaced at the top of the 2024 ticket.
Later, Biden responded about the crisis at the southern border, to which Trump replied, “I really don’t know what he just said.”
Meanwhile, Trump vehemently denied calling dead American soldiers “suckers and losers” and was pressed about his alleged affair with porn star Stormy Daniels, which he denied.
The two candidates discussed the state of the economy, Medicare, the opioid crisis and a number of topics of great importance to Americans voting in November.
Democratic and Republican political pundits were nearly unanimous on who came out on top at the end of the night. DailyMail.com breaks down analysis from top politicians:
The first presidential debates of 2024 were full of shocking moments
David Litt: Biden Will ‘Loss the News Cycle’ But Trump’s Comments Were Damaging
David Litt, President Obama’s chief speechwriter, told DailyMail.com that Biden’s cold was “unfortunate” given that voters were already concerned about his age.
But ‘Biden got better and better as the debate went on. He became louder and he confronted Trump’s lies more and more aggressively.”
“The question will be whether the conventional wisdom was established in Biden’s first 15 minutes, his weakest.”
He went on to say that the content of Trump’s comments – on January 6, “cuddling” with Putin and “cheating on his pregnant wife with a porn star” – are damaging to the ex-president.
President Obama’s chief speechwriter David Litt said Biden’s cold was “unfortunate” as voters were already concerned about his age
David Litt told DailyMail.com: ‘The question will be whether the conventional wisdom was established in the first 15 minutes, Biden’s weakest’
“Undecided voters have questions about Biden’s age and Trump’s temperament. I suspect both were exacerbated tonight,” Litt told DailyMail.com.
“Biden didn’t have a good debate and I think he will lose the news cycle, but Trump’s comments will probably be more important in the long run.”
Jonathan Bronitsky: ‘Impeccable victory for Trump’ that ‘crush’ Biden
Bronitsky, a former chief speechwriter for Attorney General Bill Barr and co-founder and CEO of ATHOS, called it “the most lopsided debate victory in modern presidential history.”
He told DailyMail.com that Trump was “completely businesslike” and “confident yet concise.”
Bronitsky added that the ex-president was “patiently waiting to hit Biden with the force and accuracy of a Hellfire missile.”
“Now we know: There weren’t enough supplies of experimental drugs on the East Coast to keep Biden from swerving, wheezing and gasping for air.”
David Axelrod: There’s a ‘sense of shock’ over Biden’s performance
Axelrod, Obama’s former senior adviser, said on CNN that if the debate is judged on policy, Biden scored points on abortion and the economy.
From the moment the historic debate began, President Biden’s advanced age was clearly visible
“There’s a sense of shock about how he came out at the beginning of this debate. About how his voice sounded. He seemed a little disoriented.”
“There will be discussions about whether he should continue,” he added, saying he did not know “whether they will lead to anything.”
Jenny Beth Martin: ‘Biden’s attacks on Trump failed’
Martin, president of the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund, told DailyMail.com there was a “clear contrast” between the candidates.
“Tonight, President Trump provided a stark and positive contrast with President Biden on the issues that matter most to conservatives and all Americans – inflation, the border crisis, crime and corruption.”
“Biden’s attacks on Trump backfired, with Trump successfully contrasting the success of his four years as president with Biden’s miserable four years. Trump won the debate, plain and simple.”
Martin, chairman of the Tea Party Patriots Citizens Fund, told DailyMail.com there was a “clear contrast” between the candidates
Max Burns: It’s ‘political malpractice’ to say debate helped Biden
Democratic strategist Max Burns delivered a scathing assessment of the debate over X.
“I am not a Biden campaign employee, nor am I a Bidenworld confidant. I don’t know if there are high-level conversations happening right now about Biden’s troubling record, but it would be political misconduct to act tonight as if the Biden campaign has been helped.”
“If this is how Biden sounds in his address to the American people, imagine how he comes across to foreign leaders and adversaries. The stakes are so high in this race: Our national security depends on voters electing President Trump.”
Jessica Anderson: The debate ‘killed’ Biden’s candidacy
Anderson, chairman of Sentinel Action Fund, told DailyMail.com that US national security depends on Trump’s victory in November, based on Biden’s performance.
Anderson, president of Sentinel Action Fund, told DailyMail.com that US national security depends on Trump winning in November
‘Nixon vs. Kennedy is no longer the textbook example of how a TV debate can kill a candidacy. This replaced it.”
“If this is how Biden sounds when he speaks to the American people, imagine how he sounds to foreign leaders and adversaries. The stakes are so high in this race — our national security depends on voters electing President Trump.”