Early Reactions to the First Biden-Trump Debate

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump debated each other Thursday night in the first presidential debate of the 2024 general election. Newsmax collected early reactions to the debate from X.

• Dave Wasserman @Redistrict: This debate making abundantly clear that Biden's insistence on running for another term — when 66% of voters in our swing state poll believe it's likely he won't be able to finish a second term — has gravely jeopardized Dems' prospects to defeat Trump.
• Nicholas Kristof @NickKristof: I wish Biden would reflect on this debate performance and then announce his decision to withdraw from the race, throwing the choice of Democratic nominee to the convention. Someone like @gretchenwhitmer, @SherrodBrown, or @SecRaimondo could still jump in and beat Trump.
• Andrew Yang @AndrewYang: Guys, the Dems should nominate someone else — before it's too late. #swapJoeout
• Steve Schmidt @ SteveSchmidtSES: Biden will be a one-term president. He still has the chance to watch a Democrat be inaugurated. There are 68 days until the DNC. Whitmer/Moore beats Trump.
• ian bremmer @ianbremmer: inconceivable a non-partisan would believe Biden can serve capably as president for another four years.
• ian bremmer @ianbremmer: opening 10 minutes, biden not ready for this.
• Frank Luntz @FrankLuntz: After the first commercial break, I asked my focus group of undecided voters how many of them are more convinced to vote for Joe Biden. Zero raised their hands. Half of them say they voted for Biden in 2020.
• Amy Walter @amyewalter: Odds of a September 10 debate are close to zero about now.
• Kasie Hunt @kasie: The voice, open-mouthed look, and visual contrast between President Biden and former President Trump all have Democrats I'm talking to nearly beside themselves watching this debate
• Bill Ackman @BillAckman: How can anyone in their right mind believe @POTUS Biden can serve another term? It is not even clear he can finish this term. What is his family thinking? Where are his closest friends when he needs their counsel most?

• Trump, Biden Swap Blows in First Half of CNN Presidential Debate
• NY Times Poll: Voters Expect Trump to Outdebate Biden