Public opinion polls such as Gallup, Pew Research, or similar

Biden-Trump Debate Draws 48 Million Viewers Amid Concerns Over Biden's Performance

Jun 28, 2024, 05:53 PM

The first U.S. presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump drew 48 million viewers, a significant drop from previous debates. Biden acknowledged his shaky performance, citing his age and diminished debating skills, but emphasized his commitment to telling the truth and his ability to get things done. Trump criticized Biden's performance, highlighting his perceived incoherence. The debate generated mixed reactions, with a CNN flash poll showing 69% of Democrats believing Biden won, while 96% of Republicans and 70% of Independents felt Trump was victorious. The debate also triggered concerns among Democratic fundraisers and lawmakers about Biden's viability as the nominee, though they stopped short of calling for his replacement. Biden addressed his performance at a rally in North Carolina, and 12.6 million viewers in the key 25-54 demographic tuned in.