President Biden struggled through his first debate of the 2024 campaign against Donald J. Trump, meandering and mumbling through answers as the former president pressed his case for a second term with limited resistance from his rival.
Mr. Trump was confident and forceful, even as he let loose a stream of misleading attacks and falsehoods.
Mr. Biden spoke with a hoarse and halting voice, closing his eyes occasionally to gather thoughts that sometimes couldn’t be corralled.
About halfway through, people close to Mr. Biden put out word that he had a cold.
Mr. Trump relentlessly hammered Mr. Biden on areas of vulnerability, sending exaggerations and embellishments — he was the “greatest” and his opponent the “worst” — flying unchecked through the audience-free CNN studio in Atlanta.
Persons:
Biden, Donald J, Trump, Mr
Organizations:
Trump, CNN
Locations:
Atlanta