Former President and class of 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump debated former Penn professor of practice and presidential incumbent Joe Biden Thursday evening.
Credit: Abhiram Juvvadi , Ethan YoungFour years after the contentious 2020 election, President Joe Biden, a former Penn professor, and 1968 Wharton graduate and former President Donald Trump faced off once again in the first United States presidential debate of 2024.
The debate, hosted by CNN on Thursday night in Atlanta, was both personal and aggressive. Biden stumbled over his words multiple times and there were numerous moments when Trump directly ignored questions from the moderators.
Following the debate Thursday evening, many in the Democratic party expressed concern with Biden’s ability to defeat Trump come November. Several strategists have even begun to suggest a world in which an alternate candidate would run as the Democratic nominee.
A few major differences separated the debate from previous ones, including an empty room rather than a live audience and muted microphones when each candidate’s opponent was speaking. During the 90 minute debate, the candidates discussed topics ranging from the economy to immigration — and even debated about who has a better golf game.
It was also the first time a sitting president and former president have ever debated.
The debate began with a question directed to both candidates about the economy and inflation. Biden argued that the Trump administration left the economy in shambles, while Trump claimed that the economy was the “greatest ... in the history of our country” before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve got to take a look at what I was left when I became president, what Mr. Trump left me,” Biden said in reference to the state of the economy when he took office.
After a back-and-forth between the candidates, the debate moved to the topic of abortion and contraceptive medication. In line with previous campaign rallies, Trump expressed his support for overturning Roe v. Wade and leaving abortion restrictions up to the states, while Biden advocated for restoring Roe.
A section of the debate was also devoted to foreign policy, specifically regarding ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Trump attacked Biden for giving Ukraine hundreds of billions of dollars in aid, while he claimed that he would be able to end Russia’s war if he is elected. Biden responded that a second Trump presidency would result in Russia expanding its war throughout Europe.
“If we had a real president, a president that … was respected by Putin, he would have never — he would have never invaded Ukraine,” Trump argued.
The tone of the debate grew increasingly personal when Trump was questioned about the riots on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump claimed that he told his supporters to march “peacefully and patriotically” to the U.S. Capitol.
Biden also went after Trump by referencing the former president's 34 felony convictions related to a hush-money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump responded by calling Biden's son, Hunter Biden, “a convicted felon at a very high level.”
“Joe could be a convicted felon with all of the things that he’s done,” Trump added. “He’s done horrible things.”
Biden responded with an attack on Trump for “having sex with a porn star."
A question specifically about both candidates’ ages and cognitive abilities was raised towards the end of the debate. Biden noted that he used to be the youngest man in politics and then shifted the conversation to highlight his accomplishments as president as evidence of his abilities.
“I took two … cognitive tests. I aced them,” Trump said during his turn.
Trump also added that he recently won two golf championships, as evidence of his “very good health,” prompting the two candidates to have a short argument about their respective golf handicaps.
Prior to the debates, both candidates had campaigned in Philadelphia this spring.
Last week, Trump spoke at a campaign rally at Temple University’s Liacouras Center, where he doubled down on his previous rhetoric regarding immigration, crime, and the economy.
In April, Biden held a rally at Philadelphia’s Martin Luther King Recreation Center, where he received an endorsement from 15 members of the Kennedy family.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
Donate
