The Full Biden Vs. Trump Debate 2024

Biden and Trump Camps Agree: Biden Had a Bad Night

“Oh, Joe.” That gasp, from patrons at a Chicago bar when President Joe Biden first stumbled verbally in his debate with Donald Trump, echoed the sentiments of many Americans on Thursday night.

In watch parties, bars, a bowling alley, and other venues where people across the country gathered to tune in, Trump supporters were delighted while Biden supporters, filled with angst and dread, seemed to agree that they had witnessed a lopsided showdown.

By the end of the 90-plus minutes, some Democrats were trying to put a positive spin on things: It’s still early. One debate doesn’t necessarily sway the nation. Judge him by what he’s done and wants to do, not by how he says things. But many were let down.

The Debate Drama

The debate was a critical moment in Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s presidential rematch, giving them the chance to present their cases before a national television audience.

Rosemarie DeAngelus, a Democrat from South Portland, Maine, summed up the disappointment of many Biden supporters from her watch party at Broadway Bowl: “Biden just didn’t have the spark that we needed tonight. Trump showed more spunk or more vigor, even if he was telling a pack of lies.”

Fellow Biden supporter and bowling alley attendee Lynn Miller from nearby Old Orchard Beach added, “It’s like somebody gave Trump an Adderall and I don’t think they gave Joe one.” Miller continued, “I’ve never seen Trump seem so coherent. And I hate to say this, but Joe seemed a little bit off. But I still support him over Trump because Trump lied about every single thing that happened.”

Trump Supporters Rejoice

Trump supporters agreed that the difference in energy and coherence between the candidates was striking. At a festive pro-Trump party in Novi, Michigan, Bonnie Call, wearing her red MAGA hat, said of Biden, “He just cannot think on his feet at all. President Trump is just on.”

In McAllen, Texas, at London’s Bar & Grill, patrons absorbed the debate from TV screens in a normally lively venue. Here, Biden supporters, Trump supporters, and undecided voters mingled.

Vance Gonzales, 40, a moderate Democrat, voiced his concerns: “We need another Democratic candidate, to be honest, because this is not competitive. He’s not on point with anything. I think it’s disappointing.”

Marco Perez, 53, who voted for Biden in the last election, was frustrated. “I want to hear more facts, more action as opposed to more finger-pointing, more accusations or false accusations,” he said.

His friend Virginia Lopez, still undecided, found the debate unsatisfactory. “Trump is just deflecting in all the answers and he’s just lying,” she said. “It doesn’t feel like a real debate.” About Biden, she added, “I just feel like he’s too old.”

The Veteran’s Perspective

Hector Mercado, 72, a veteran wearing a U.S. military beret, listened intently to the debate. Although once a Democrat, he switched parties under Ronald Reagan. Mercado was not swayed by Biden’s accusations about Trump’s past comments on veterans. “Yeah, he said a few things bad about veterans at one point back in the early days,” Mercado said. “But now he’s saying, ‘No, I back up the veterans and I never had any problems with him. I got a raise in my VA disability when Trump was president.’”

Biden’s performance left him unimpressed. “I think Trump is stronger, and Biden is a little weak,” Mercado concluded.

A Tijuana Perspective

At a Tijuana migrant shelter over the border in Mexico, people watched the debate in folding chairs in front of a screen. Andrea, a migrant from southern Mexico, summarized her view: “Well, I feel that the people of the United States don’t love Mexicans now.”

A Divided Seattle

At Hula Hula, a tiki bar in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, patrons cheered when Trump mentioned their city, even though it was in the context of lawlessness. Biden supporter Amy Pottinger said, “Once he started talking about Roe v. Wade, it was like Biden woke up and was here.”

At the same Chicago bar where patrons gasped at Biden’s stumbles, the president scored with a zinger to Trump: “You have the morals of an alley cat.” The response: “Whoa!”

Atlanta’s Jitters

At a Democratic watch party in downtown Atlanta, the mood was tense. “I’m so nervous, I feel like my kid is going onstage,” said Georgia state Sen. Nikki Merritt, patting her stomach. Technicians struggled with sound and video, and during one outage, the crowd chanted “Let’s Go Joe!”

“I want to hear Joe Biden talking to the voters and ignoring the crazy man in the room,” said Matthew Wilson, the Georgia Democratic Party’s vice chairman. But there was no ignoring Trump.

The consensus from both camps was clear: Biden had a bad night. With the stakes so high, the impact of this debate could resonate far beyond the campaign trail.

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