Trump and Biden face off in 2024 presidential debate

(NEXSTAR) – President Biden stumbled several times early in Thursday night’s debate in Atlanta before finding his stride, and his Republican rival, former President Trump, was quick to capitalize on the missteps.

Biden’s voice sounded raspy – a source told The Hill he was battling a cold – and he cleared his throat repeatedly while responding to questions from the moderators, veteran CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.

In one notable moment, Biden seemed to lose his train of thought after abruptly jumping from tax policy to healthcare, trailing off before saying, “Look, we finally beat Medicare” as his time ran out.

Trump pounced on the moment, responding, “That’s right, he did beat Medicaid, he beat it to death. And he’s destroying Medicare.”

Biden appeared to gain momentum later in the debate, denouncing the Jan. 6 riots, laying out plans to keep Social Security solvent by making the wealthy “pay their fair share” and describing how his administration lowered prescription drug prices like insulin.

Unlike the 2020 debate in Cleveland, when a barrage of interruptions left former Fox News host Chris Wallace fighting to keep control, new rules – many insisted on by Biden’s team – limited the on-stage chaos in Atlanta.

The stipulations at the CNN Presidential Debate included mutable microphones, no studio audience, a ban on props or prewritten notes and no opening statements, among others.

While polls show the majority of adults aren’t excited about either candidate, it appears that the debate could draw broad interest.

Six in 10 said they were either “extremely” or “very” likely to tune in, whether by watching the entire debate, viewing clips or following news about it, according to an Associated Press/National Opinion Research Center poll.

“I think it’s super important,” said Victoria Perdomo, a 44-year-old stay-at-home mom and a Trump supporter in Coral Springs, Florida. “It shows America what you’re going to see for the next four years.”

Absent on the debate stage Thursday was independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who counter-programmed on his own website.

CNN deemed Kennedy ineligible after failing to meet polling and ballot qualification benchmarks.

What’s riding on the debate

Democrats are hopeful that Biden can bring the same energy he did in his State of the Union address earlier in the year. But a face-off on live television against an opponent who delights in verbal combat is very different from a scripted speech before Congress.

Biden’s team is aware that he cannot afford to have a bad night with the nation watching.

Trump, who already has a solid base of voters, will have the chance to win over swing voters and moderates. After being widely criticized for his attempts to disrupt and steamroll Biden during their first debate in 2020, he appeared to keep his cool in the early going Thursday.

In the hours leading up to the debate Trump railed against the president on his Truth Social platform, calling Biden a “threat to democracy, and a threat to the survival and existence of our country itself!!!”

Trump has repeatedly hurled the “threat to democracy” accusation at Biden in response to the incumbent’s warnings about Trump himself, who is accused of trying to subvert the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.

Biden also took to social media Thursday to take shots at his opponent, posting a video on X of the presumptive GOP candidate’s ex-staffers speaking out against Trump.

Trump immunity ruling looms

While the debate in Atlanta will feature the same candidates who squared off in Cleveland and later in Nashville, a lot has changed since 2020.

President Trump has since been convicted of 34 felony counts in connection with the Stormy Daniels hush money trial, and now awaits a Supreme Court decision on his claims of immunity from prosecution.

There was some speculation that the opinion could come down before the debate, potentially shifting talking points for both Trump and Biden.

The former president’s legal issues are expected to be a point of discussion at some point Thursday night.

What’s next?

A second debate between Trump and Biden is already scheduled for Sept. 10, and will be hosted by ABC.

Rumors have swirled for months about Trump’s upcoming selection of running mates, a decision he could make before – or during – the Republican National Convention in July.

The vice presidential debate between Kamala Harris and her yet-unnamed Republican opponent is set to happen either July 23, Aug. 13 or after both party conventions, according to The Hill.

Another important calendar date for Trump is July 11, when he will appear for sentencing after a jury convicted him on dozens of felony counts of falsification of business records.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.