Former President Donald Trump leveled criticism at President Joe Biden regarding his performance during the first presidential debate, labeling it as a failure on stage. The event was hosted at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida, on June 29, 2024.
In a statement issued by his Save America PAC, Trump expressed his disapproval, stating, “Sleepy Joe Biden was a disaster during the debate. He choked on stage and it was painful to watch. The American people deserve better than a President who can’t handle the pressure of a debate.”
The debate saw Biden being rigorously questioned on several issues, including the economy, immigration, and foreign policy. Trump contended that Biden’s answers were inadequate and lacked depth. “Biden’s responses were vague and uninspiring. He offered no solutions, only empty rhetoric. The American people deserve a President who will fight for them, not someone who will choke under pressure,” Trump elaborated.
In addition, Trump took aim at the moderators, accusing them of bias and of providing Biden with an easier set of questions. “The moderators were terrible. They gave Biden softball questions and let him get away with murder. They were clearly in the tank for Biden and it showed,” Trump commented.
Despite Trump’s harsh critique, subsequent polls following the debate indicated that Biden had emerged as the victor by a considerable margin. Nevertheless, Trump stood his ground, asserting, “I know the American people saw through Biden’s lies and empty promises. They know I’m the only one who can make America great again.”
Ultimately, the 2023 first presidential debate was characterized by President Joe Biden’s strong showing and former President Donald Trump’s stern criticism. Trump remained vocal about the alleged moderator bias and Biden’s purportedly underwhelming debate performance, insisting that the American public deserves a leader who can withstand debate pressures.