In a tense and highly anticipated first debate of the 2024 US presidential campaign, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off in Atlanta, Georgia. The 81-year-old incumbent's performance, marred by moments of hesitation, coughing fits, and a visible struggle to maintain coherence, has sparked a wave of concern about his capability to continue his re-election campaign.
Following the debate, former President Barack Obama took to X to defend Biden and offer his support. Acknowledging that it was a "bad debate night" for Biden, Obama emphasised that such events are not uncommon in the heat of a campaign.
He stressed that the upcoming election presents a clear choice between a candidate who has consistently fought for ordinary people and one who primarily seeks to advance his interests. Obama praised Biden as a man of integrity and truth, contrasting him with Trump, whom he accused of "lying through his teeth" to serve his agenda. “Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November,” Obama wrote.
Obama’s post drew attention of the former managing director of BharatPe, Ashneer Grover, who responded with a terse comment, "Kuchh Bhi!" (Hindi for "Whatever!"), signaling his skepticism about Obama's defense of Biden.
Grover’s reaction was echoed by others who felt the Democrats were trying to cover up for Biden’s performance. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, also weighed in, mocking the Democrats' efforts by retweeting their post proclaiming Biden as the "winner of tonight’s debate" with a simple "lol."
Meanwhile, as millions of Americans tuned in, Biden's voice often wavered, and he frequently referred to his notes instead of addressing the camera directly. The debate, initially focused on the US economy, saw Biden repeatedly confusing figures, pausing to correct himself, and ultimately losing his train of thought during a critical discussion on tax policy. In a particularly damaging exchange, Biden's rambling response on tax policy veered into health policy, where he confusingly stated, “Look, we finally beat Medicare,” before being cut off by the moderators.
Trump seized the opportunity with a sharp retort: “That’s right, he did beat Medicaid, he beat it to death. And he’s destroying Medicare.” He added, “I really don’t know what he said, I don’t think he even knows what he said,” after another of Biden's muddled answers.
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