In a fiery first presidential debate ahead of the November elections, President Joe Biden and his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, exchanged sharp barbs, highlighting their deep-seated animosity and stark policy differences. The 81-year-old Biden, just three years senior to Trump, faced a barrage of attacks from the former president, who sought to undermine the veteran Democrat’s record and character.
Top quotes from the US presidential debate 2024
- ‘You have the morals of an alley cat’: Biden’s attack on Trump over Stormy Daniels case
President Biden took shot at Trump over the Stormy Daniels hush money scandal, stating, “You have the morals of an alley cat.” He added that Trump had “sex with a porn star when his wife was pregnant.” Trump responded, “First of all, I did not have sex with a porn star,” and mentioned he plans to appeal the Manhattan court’s verdict. - ‘We are the most stupid people in the world’: Trump on the Capitol insurrection
Addressing the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, Trump claimed, “On Jan 6 we had a great border, we were energy independent, we were respected all over the world. Then he (Biden) comes in and we are one of the most stupid people across the world.” Biden retorted that no US president in history has ever spoken in such a manner. - ‘Zelensky is the greatest salesman in the world’: Trump on Ukraine war
When asked if he would accept Russian President Vladimir Putin’s terms to end the war in Ukraine, Trump said, “Putin’s terms are not acceptable. This war was never to be started. He gave Ukraine $200 billion. Zelensky turns out to be the greatest salesman.” - ‘It’s Biden migrant crime’: Trump links crime rise to immigration
Trump attributed the rise in crimes to increased illegal crossings along the southern US border, dubbing it “Biden migrant crime.” Biden countered by criticizing Trump’s policy of “snatching children from their mothers” during his tenure. - ‘Afghanistan exit most embarrassing day in the history of our country’: Trump criticizes Biden
Trump repeatedly criticized Biden over the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it “the most embarrassing day in the history of our country.” He argued that the withdrawal emboldened Putin to invade Ukraine. - ‘We are closer to World War III’: Trump warns of global conflict
Trump claimed the Biden administration is pushing the world towards a third World War, stating, “We are closer to World War III and he is driving us there.” - ‘The world is envious of us’: Biden defends America’s standing
Biden defended the US against Trump’s description of the country as failing, saying, “No president in US history has talked about this country like that. The world is envious of us.”
The debate underscored the high stakes and intense scrutiny both candidates face as they vie for the presidency, with millions of Americans tuning in to see the future direction of the nation.