As it happened: Joe Biden and Donald Trump clash in first debate of Presidential campaign
28 June 2024, 00:39 | Updated: 28 June 2024, 03:50
President Joe Biden and the former President Donald Trump went head-to-head this evening in the first TV debate of the Presidential campaign.
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The two men, who faced off for the second time in four years, took questions on the economy, immigration, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, abortion, and many other issues.
It was a struggle for Mr Biden, who appeared to freeze around 15 minutes into the debate, and regularly stumbled over his words.
See the debate as it happened below.
Key Moments
- Donald Trump and Joe Biden have faced off in the first debate of the US Presidential campaign
- Key issues included the economy, immigration, and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza
- But many have focused on Mr Biden, who repeatedly struggled to get his words out and even appeared to freeze on a number of occasions
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CNN debate ends
That's it for tonight's debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
Donald Trump delivers closing statement
Mr Trump's closing statement went straight in on Joe Biden, who he labelled a "complainer".
"This man is a complainer," he says.
"Our military doesn't respect him... Ukraine shouldn't have happened.
"We're living in hell," he added.
Mr Trump concluded: "We're in a failing nation, but it's not going to be failing anymore - we're going to make it great again. Thank you."
Joe Biden delivers closing statement
Biden focuses on the "significant progress" he says his administration has made since taking office in 2021.
The US President says he wants to introduce a "fairer tax system" in the US, accusing Trump of wanting to increase taxes.
"We're going to continue to fight to bring down inflation and give people a break," he concluded his statement.
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Will Trump accept the result of the election?
"If it's a fair and legal and good election, absolutely," Trump said.
Trump also addresses age concerns
"I took two tests, two cognitive tests, I aced both of them, as you know," Mr Trump said in response.
"He took none, I'd like to see him take one, a real easy one."
"He couldn't do it," Mr Trump added.
Biden, 81, addresses concerns about his age
"First of all, I spent half my career being criticised for being the youngest person in politics," Mr Biden said.
"This guy is three years longer and a lot less competent."
Mr Biden also points to his record, arguing he turned around a "horrible" inheritance left by the Trump administration.
He then went on to talk about computer chips.
Trump turns to immigration when asked about climate change
CNN host Dana Bash asks Trump: "Will you take any action as president to slow the climate crisis?"
The former US President ignored Ms Bash's question and instead gave an answer on immigration.
Trump is then pressed on his views on climate change, to which he says he wants "immaculately clean water and immaculately clean air".
Biden says Trump is a threat to the planet and criticised him for pulling out of the Paris Agreement.
Odds of Trump winning office again surges mid-debate
The odds of Trump winning a second term in office has surged in the middle of the debate.
It now stands at 63%, a surge of over 10%.
Meanwhile, Biden's odds have fallen from 48% to 37%.
