Biden's gaffes and Trump's lies ignited the first 2024 debate

The first 2024 presidential debate was historic, marking the first time a former and current president faced off on the debate stage.

It was also crucial for both campaigns. According to an AP-NORC poll, half of Americans thought it was vital for both candidates: six in ten voters said they would watch the debate or clips after.

According to CNN, AP News, and New York Times analysts, Biden's performance in the debate was the first shock for Democrats: He seemed unchecked and weak.

President Biden stumbled constantly during his answers, proving Democrats' worst fears about his ability to serve for another term.

Biden had moments of low energy, staring with vacant eyes at the camera and losing his train of thought. Still, the President had some assertive moments while discussing his policies.

But it was not enough. "A car accident in slow motion," CNN analyst and anchor Chris Wallace said, "he sunk his campaign tonight."

On the other stand was a much more lively Donald Trump, who lied in many of his answers but seemed calm and collected when delivering them.

Trump told several lies about the numbers of Biden's administration: immigration numbers, inflation and economy, the perception of the international community, and climate change.

The former president also lied about the support of scholars for the overturn of Roe V. Wade, a widely unpopular verdict. He also said many Jan. 6 rioters were "innocent."

Finally, the former president deflected vital questions about his extreme past positions: he never answered whether he would accept a loss in the elections.

However, according to several analysts, one of the most effective strategies that Trump used was constantly going back to the disastrous US pull of troops from Afghanistan.

The issues that benefited each candidate in the debate were essentially the same during the campaign.

On abortion, Biden had the upper hand as the candidates discussed the overturn of Roe V. Wade. Still, Trump was able to present some moderation on the issue.

On immigration discussions, Trump had an advantage. However, the former president stuck to the lies he has spilled at rallies instead of using moderate arguments like he did with abortion.

Both candidates pulled the same arguments when discussing inflation, with Trump using lies and Biden seeming weak and misplaced.

The Trump campaign and even Democrats concluded that the Republican candidate won the debate. Still, many analysts voiced their concerns about how underwhelming the exchange was.

Both candidates could not answer vital questions that interest and swing voters: their policies to advance equality among African Americans, childcare policies, and social security policies.

The consensus among mass media was that, despite President Biden presenting more "substance" on specific policies, he had a poor performance next to a candidate who seemed much younger and more coherent.

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