Joe Biden and Donald Trump Clash in Heated First Debate of 2024 Presidential Race

In a fiery and contentious debate held in Atlanta on June 27, 2024, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off for the first time in the current election cycle. The event, moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, covered critical topics such as the economy, immigration, and foreign policy.

The debate began with Trump launching a series of unsubstantiated claims and criticisms, referring to the United States as a "third world nation" and alleging widespread chaos under Biden's administration. He also made misleading statements about immigration, claiming Biden allowed 18 million people into the country, a figure significantly higher than official estimates.

Biden, despite appearing hoarse and occasionally losing his train of thought, defended his administration's record on economic recovery and job creation. He pointed out that inflation, while a significant issue, was driven by factors beyond his control, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Biden also emphasized the progress made in reducing unemployment and supporting American industries.

The debate also touched on the January 6 Capitol riot, with Trump denying any responsibility and deflecting questions about his role in inciting the violence. He refused to clearly state whether he would accept the results of the 2024 election, raising concerns about potential challenges to the electoral process.

Overall, the debate highlighted the stark contrasts between the candidates, setting the stage for a highly charged election campaign. Both Biden and Trump faced scrutiny for their performances, with fact-checkers quickly addressing the numerous falsehoods and exaggerations presented throughout the night.