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, 1:22 AM GMT

Biden stumbles, pauses for several seconds

Biden stumbled as he attacked Trump and defended his own record, pausing for several seconds.

The president was discussing domestic programs he hoped to be able to invest in with the money that would be gained by taxes the wealthiest Americans before trailing off and pausing, ultimately saying "we beat Medicare."

"He did beat Medicare, he beat it to death," Trump responded.

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Jun 28, 2024, 1:20 AM GMT

Trump asked about plan to impose 10% tariff on goods coming to US

Asked how he would ensure that his plan to impose a 10% tariff on all goods coming to the U.S. wouldn't drive prices higher Trump said it won't drive them higher but will force countries like China to "pay us a lot of money" and "give us a lot of power for other things," though didn't elaborate.

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Jun 28, 2024, 1:19 AM GMT

Biden defends economic record in 1st exchange of the night

Biden fielded the first question from moderator Jake Tapper, who asked him what his message was to Americans who feel worse off financially under his administration than they did under Trump.

Biden claimed he was handed an economy in "free fall." He touted his record on job creation and lowering prescription drug prices and other household costs.

Trump, in turn, claimed he he had "the greatest economy in the history of our country" and that inflation is "absolutely killing us."

Jun 28, 2024, 1:18 AM GMT

Candidates take the stage

Biden and Trump are now at the lecterns. The two entered from different sides of the stage and did not shake hands.