Trump-Biden debate: Little new insight into policy goals

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Last updated: Friday, June 28, 2024 4:32AM GMT
President Debate spurs concerns over Biden's reelection chances
President Debate spurs concerns over Biden's reelection chancesIn a historic clash of personality and policy, Joe Biden and Donald Trump took the stage for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off in Thursday's presidential debate.

Hosted by CNN, it was the earliest-ever debate in a presidential race, taking place before the Republican and Democratic conventions in July and August -- when both Trump and Biden will officially accept their party's nominations.

Jun 28, 2024, 1:48 AM

Fact-checking the first 2024 Presidential Debate

ABC News is fact-checking both Biden and Trump's claims in real time.

MORE | Fact-checking the first 2024 Presidential Debate between Donald Trump, Joe Biden

President Joe Biden, right, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, during a presidential debate hosted by CNN, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta.
President Joe Biden, right, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, during a presidential debate hosted by CNN, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta.
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Jun 28, 2024, 4:24 AM GMT

Bitter debate offers little new insight into Biden, Trump policy goals

For the most part, tonight's debate revealed nothing new about what Biden and Trump think on major issues from the economy, immigration, foreign policy and reproductive rights.

Each candidate reiterated positions they've already touted countless times on the campaign stump.

Instead, they largely focused on criticizing each other's past records and lobbing personal attacks.

Vice President Kamala Harris reacts to the CNN President Debate of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Jun 28, 2024, 3:02 AM GMT

Trump asked if he will accept the results of the 2024 election

Though asked three times, former President Donald Trump never directly affirmed that he would accept the election results, no matter who wins.

Several times Trump noted that he would accept the results "if it's a fair and legal and good election" but wouldn't give a yes or no answer to moderator Dana Bash's inquiries.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures during a presidential debate with Joe Biden, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures during a presidential debate with Joe Biden, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta.

The follow-ups came after Trump ultimately denounced political violence as "totally unacceptable."

After the moderator asked Trump three times whether he would accept the results of the November election, Joe Biden responded that he doubted Trump would "because you're such a whiner."

Biden noted there was no evidence of any widespread fraud in the 2020 election and that multiple courts had dismissed challenges brought by Trump's campaign.

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Jun 28, 2024, 2:54 AM GMT

Trump targets Biden during his closing argument

In his two-minute closing argument, Trump went after Biden's record abroad in a personal attack.

"They don't respect you throughout the world," he said.

Trump said he had the largest tax cut and the largest regulation cuts in history, but the country is now "exploding."

"We're a failing nation, but it's not going to be failing anymore," he said. "We're going to make it great again."

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Jun 28, 2024, 2:43 AM GMT

Biden delivers closing argument

"We have made significant progress from the debacle that was left by President Trump in his last term," Biden said.

Biden then went on to summarize some of his signature policies. On the economy, he vowed he will not raise taxes on anyone making under $400,000 a year and to continue his work to reduce health care costs, child care costs and give families financial breathing room.

"We're going to continue to fight to bring down inflation and give people a break," Biden said in closing.