Atlanta Presidential Debate: Recap of first faceoff between Biden, Trump

ATLANTA - The eyes of the world were on Atlanta as the first presidential debate of 2024, hosted by CNN, took place on Thursday evening.

Biden and Trump each declared the other unfit to be president as their exchanges heated up.

A raspy Joe Biden delivered rambling answers that sometimes trailed off as he defended his policies and record. 

Donald Trump countered with possible falsehoods on issues including the economy, abortion and NATO members' defense spending. 

The two have also exchanged deeply personal attacks. 

GET A FULL RECAP OF WHERE BIDEN, TRUMP STAND ON EACH ISSUE

Here are the latest details:

Biden departs Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Cobb County - 12:34 a.m.

President Joe Biden's motorcade drove to Dobbins Air Reserve Base and to Air Force One.

He is expected to head to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is expected to hold a midday rally.

Air Force One was wheels up around 12:50 p.m.

Biden makes Waffle House stop in Cobb County - 12:20 a.m.

President Joe Biden, joined by his wife, first lady Dr. Jill Biden, made a stop at the Waffle House along Cobb Parkway, just outside The Perimeter.

The stop comes two hours after he stopped off the debate stage against former President Donald Trump.

It was not immediately clear what, if anything, he ordered, but the president spent his time there shaking hands and talking to those inside this location of the famous, if not infamous, Norcross-based restaurant chain.

When former President Donald Trump was in Atlanta in April, he stopped at a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta. He reportedly bought everyone at that location of the Atlanta-based restaurant chain a milkshake.

Biden departs downtown debate watch party - 11:53 p.m.

After spending close to an hour at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, giving brief remarks and shaking hands with his supporters, President Joe Biden is departing in his motorcade.

Trump departs Atlanta - 11:25 p.m.

Former President Donald Trump boarded his private jet around 11 p.m. and took off.

There were no reports that Trump stopped anywhere on his way back to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Trump is believed to be headed back to Mar-a-Lago in Florida. He is scheduled to appear at a rally in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Friday.

Fore more years? Biden, Trump take swings at each other's golf skills - 11:21 p.m.

They debated the economy, immigration and foreign policy, but it was an argument over golf handicaps that brought out some of the feistiest comments in Thursday's debate as Joe Biden and Donald Trump sparred over how far they can hit the ball and their stamina on the course, with Trump bragging about trophies he's won and Biden noting that he's a single-digit handicap. 

Answering a question about his fitness, Trump, who would be 82 at the end of a second term, bragged that he was in "very good shape" and had recently won two championships at one of his golf courses. "To do that, you have to be quite smart and you have to be able to hit the ball a long way." 

Biden, he said, "can't hit a ball 50 yards." 

Biden then touted his own golf abilities. "I got my handicap, when I was vice president, down to six," Biden said. He again challenged Trump to a golf match, but only if his foe carried his bag of clubs himself. 

"Think you can do it?" asked Biden, whose handicap is listed on the United States Golf Association's website as 6.7, with the last update in July 2018. Trump's handicap, last updated in June 2021, is listed as 2.5. Biden would be 86 at the end of his second term. 

Trump called Biden's handicap claim "the biggest lie of all," adding: "I've seen your swing. I know your swing." 

Trump then sought to shut down the golf discussion. 

"Let's not act like children," Trump said. 

"You are a child," Biden retorted. 

In golf, a handicap is a measure of a player's skill. The lower the handicap, the better the player is. 

Democrats weighing in - 11:15 p.m.

Georgia state Rep. Billy Mitchell, a leading Democrat in the suburban Atlanta Democratic heartland of DeKalb County, said he thought Joe Biden could overcome his debate performance. 

"The bar was set so low by his opponent that he certainly exceeded that," Mitchell said at the Biden campaign watch party in downtown Atlanta. "The reality is we love Joe Biden because of where his heart is, despite if he looked like he had a cold here and there." 

Former Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro said in a post on the social platform X that, "Biden had a very low bar going into the debate and failed to clear even that bar. He seemed unprepared, lost, and not strong enough to parry effectively with Trump, who lies constantly." 

Trump supporters react to his debate performance - 11:11 p.m.

As the debate came to a close, Donald Trump supporter retired police officer Nick Glaub, of Ross, Ohio, watched with his feet kicked up onto a nearby performance stage, a can of Corona beer sitting on the table. 

Glaub was pleased with Trump's debate performance and said he noticed the lack of attack lines from Trump. 

"I just think he held his composure," he said. 

Chuck Thompson, a Trump supporter from Mason, Ohio, who came to the watch party decked in an American flag button-down shirt, was also pleased with Trump's debate performance, noting the difference in tone from Trump's last debate against President Biden in 2020. 

"He didn't lash out," Thompson said. "He's learned how to control his temper. 

Biden attends post-debate party in Atlanta - 11 p.m.

The Hyatt Regency Atlanta ballroom was filled with supporters of President Joe Biden, who, just minutes before, was watching his first 2024 presidential debate against former President Donald Trump.

The current president was met with cheers upon taking the stage.

Biden profusely thanked his supporters before making some quick remarks and then worked his way around the room shaking hands.

The candidates' closing statements - 10:48 p.m.

President Joe Biden began his closing statement with a voice that was even scratchier than earlier and was at times hard to understand. 

He said of his administration, "We've made significant progress from the debacle that was left by President Trump is in his last term" but also flubbed the price cuts on insulin he helped champion, saying $35 when he meant $15. 

In his closing statement, former President Donald Trump tried again to lump Biden in with other career politicians, calling Biden "a complainer." 

He also said that the public and foreign leaders don't respect Biden, saying, "The whole country is exploding because of you." 

Trump asked if he will accept the results of the 2024 election - 10:46 p.m.

Though asked three times, former President Donald Trump never directly affirmed that he would accept the election results, no matter who wins. 

Several times Trump noted that he would accept the results "if it's a fair and legal and good election" but wouldn't give a yes or no answer to moderator Dana Bash's inquiries. 

The follow-ups came after Trump ultimately denounced political violence as "totally unacceptable." 

After the moderator asked Trump three times whether he would accept the results of the November election, Joe Biden responded that he doubted Trump would "because you're such a whiner." 

Biden noted there was no evidence of any widespread fraud in the 2020 election and that multiple courts had dismissed challenges brought by Trump's campaign. 

Biden uses term ‘illegal aliens' while discussing immigration - 10:43 p.m.

Joe Biden used the term "illegal aliens" while responding to Donald Trump's attacks on immigration during the debate. 

He said that while Trump accuses migrants of taking away jobs, "there's a reason why we have the fastest growing economy in the world." 

It's not the first time Biden has used terms that are rejected by immigrant rights groups and are not favored by Democrats. In March, during his State of the Union speech, he referred to a suspect in the killing of a Georgia nursing student as an "illegal" and later said he regretted using that term. 

"I shouldn't have used illegal, it's undocumented," he said in an interview with MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart. 

Traffic expected to be snarled at end of debate - 10:37 p.m.

Atlanta police are mobilizing again to allow for the two candidates to leave the debate.  

Biden is scheduled to stop at a watch party at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in downtown. 

Trump did not release any details about a post-debate stop. 

Traffic across Atlanta was taxed on Thursday by the police details and fans headed to the Copa America match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

Those traveling in and around Atlanta were being asked to take MARTA. However, when the motorcades pass, that traffic comes to a standstill as well. 

Biden and Trump on their ability to be president at their age - 10:35 p.m.

More than 80 minutes into the debate, President Joe Biden, 81, and former President Donald Trump, 78, were asked about their age and ability to serve well into their 80s. 

Biden, answering with the hoarse voice he's had all night, launched a litany of policy achievements and noted that Trump is only "three years younger." 

Biden also used the answer to slap at Trump for bad-mouthing the U.S. 

"The idea that we are some kind of failing country? I've never heard a president talk like that before," Biden said. 

In his retort, Trump bragged about his golf game and said he's in as good a shape as he was 25 years ago and perhaps "even a little bit lighter." 

Candidates discuss climate change - 10:32 p.m.

More than an hour into the debate, the candidates finally talked about climate change, which Joe Biden has called an existential crisis and a top priority of his presidency. 

Trump, after initially declining to answer on climate, said he wants "absolutely immaculate, clean water and I want absolutely clean air.'' 

He said that during his administration, "we were using all forms of energy, all forms, everything'' and claimed he "had the best environmental numbers ever.'' 

It was unclear what he was referring to. 

Biden called climate change the greatest threat to humanity, adding that Trump "didn't do a darn thing about it.'' 

Biden cited the 2022 passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which authorizes billions for clean energy. Biden called it the most significant climate legislation ever passed. 

Protests remain peaceful in Atlanta - 10:31 p.m.

Protests in Atlanta have been mostly peaceful this evening. Just after 10 p.m., a group marching towards the debate ended up dispersing. 

At one point, about 400 people were part of the various demonstrations, but no one was there to support either candidate in the debate. 

Atlanta police were keeping those protesters about three blocks away from the doors leading to the debate stage on 10th Street. 

Many of those on the streets on the hot Thursday evening were there to show support for Palestine, which they say neither candidate adequately supports. 

A handful supported Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who was not invited to the debate. 

PETA and pro-life activists also showed in smaller numbers. 

The one thing most groups agree upon is they do not like the candidates the two major political parties are putting up ahead of November. 

No arrests were reported. 

Biden says Trump wants to cut Social Security - 10:25 p.m.

Joe Biden pointed to a plan from some House Republicans to cut $1.5 trillion in Social Security benefits by raising the retirement age as proof that Donald Trump wants to cut the program. 

Republican leaders in Congress have backed off slashing Social Security benefits, but many see the current state of the program as untenable in the long term. 

Candidates discuss climate change - 10:22 p.m.

More than an hour into the debate, the candidates finally talked about climate change, which Joe Biden has called an existential crisis and a top priority of his presidency. 

Trump, after initially declining to answer on climate, said he wants "absolutely immaculate, clean water and I want absolutely clean air.'' 

He said that during his administration, "we were using all forms of energy, all forms, everything'' and claimed he "had the best environmental numbers ever.'' 

It was unclear what he was referring to. 

Biden called climate change the greatest threat to humanity, adding that Trump "didn't do a darn thing about it.'' 

Biden cited the 2022 passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which authorizes billions for clean energy. Biden called it the most significant climate legislation ever passed. 

Trump brags about ‘immaculate, clean water' during his presidency - 10:10 p.m.

When former President Donald Trump was asked what he would do about climate change, he said that the U.S. had "absolutely immaculate, clean water" and air when he was president. 

Joe Biden retorted: "He hasn't done a damn thing" for the environment. 

Climate change isn't an area where Americans think Trump performed especially well as president. Nearly half of Americans said Trump hurt the country on climate change while he was president, while relatively few Americans - only about 1 in 10 - said Trump's presidency helped the country. About 4 in 10 say he neither helped nor hurt. 

They're more likely to see a positive effect from Biden's presidency, but it's not an overwhelming endorsement. Nearly half say Biden neither helped nor hurt the country on climate change, while about 3 in 10 say he helped a lot or a little and roughly 2 in 10 say he hurt the country. 

Trump's hush money conviction mentioned for the first time - 9:58 p.m.

Almost 45 minutes into the debate, President Joe Biden finally referenced former President Donald Trump's recent felony conviction in New York. 

During a discussion about the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, Biden said: "The only person on this stage that's a convicted felon is the man I'm looking at right now," referring to Trump. 

Trump then sought to pivot from his own legal troubles by referring to Biden's son, Hunter, as a "convicted felon." 

He was referencing the younger Biden's felony conviction this month on three firearms charges. Trump also repeated long-running claims related to the Bidens and Ukraine, a frequent attack point for Republicans. 

Questioning turns to the events of Jan. 6, 2021 - 9:52 p.m.

Debate questions are turning to Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol during the certification of the Electoral College vote count. 

Trump was asked by host Jake Tapper whether he violated his oath to protect and defend the Constitution. 

Asked about the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump quickly pivoted to immigration and taxes. Pressed on his role, he said he encouraged people to act "peacefully and patriotically," then attacked former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 

The rioters on Jan. 6 engaged in hand-to-hand combat with police and used makeshift weapons, including flagpoles, a table leg, hockey stick and crutch, to attack officers. Police officers were bruised and bloodied as they were dragged into the crowd and beaten. One officer was crushed in a doorframe, and another suffered a heart attack after a rioter pressed a stun gun against his neck and repeatedly shocked him.  

More than 1,400 people have been charged with federal offenses stemming from the riot. Of those, more than 850 people have pleaded guilty to crimes, including seditious conspiracy and assaulting police officers. About 200 others have been convicted at trial. 

Biden pushes back on Trump's NATO comments - 9:47 p.m.

Biden pushed back at Trump bragging about pushing European allies to put more money into defense. "This is a guy who wants to pull out of NATO," Biden said, adding that he "got 50 other nations" to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion. 

Biden forcefully responded to Trump's NATO comments, saying: "He has no idea what the hell he's talking about." 

About 6 in 10 Americans see NATO membership as a very or somewhat good thing for the U.S., while about one-quarter say it's neither good nor bad and only about 1 in 10 say it's very or somewhat bad, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted in February. 

Trump claims Russia's attack on Ukraine would not have happened with him as president - 9:43 p.m.

The questioning during Thursday's debate turned to foreign policy, beginning with the Russian war in Ukraine, which is now in its third year. 

Former President Donald Trump suggested Russia would never have attacked Ukraine if he had been in office. 

"If we had a real president, a president that knew that was respected by Putin, he would have never he would have never invaded Ukraine," he said. 

Trump has a long history of positive comments about Russian President Vladimir Putin's toughness, including calling Putin's tactics in the 2022 invasion of Ukraine "genius" and "very savvy." 

Trump expresses no such warmth for Ukraine or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, most recently calling him a "salesman" this month for the Ukrainian leader's military aid requests to the United States. 

Immigration, country's borders discussion - 9:38 p.m.

Former President Donald Trump complained that migrants who arrive in the country illegally are housed in "luxury hotels" while veterans are on the street. 

As expected, he also leaned heavily on discussing migrant crime. He also said migrants are coming into the U.S. illegally from "mental institutions" and "insane asylums." He has not provided evidence for that claim, which he has frequently made at rallies. 

Trump also said he had the "safest border border in history" - a highly questionable claim and a familiar talking point. 

President Joe Biden has stuck to his talking points on immigration, highlighting 40% drop in arrests for illegal immigration since issuing an executive order suspending asylum. 

He's trying to gain ground on immigration, which has risen as a national priority, not just among Republicans. 

Just 3 in 10 Americans approve of Biden's handling of immigration, according to an AP-NORC poll from June. About 6 in 10 Democrats approve of Biden's approach to the issue, but only about 2 in 10 Independents and fewer than 1 in 10 Republicans agree. 

Debate turns to subject of abortion access - 9:28 p.m.

President Joe Biden blamed Donald Trump during the debate for the deluge of state abortion restrictions since the fall of Roe v. Wade. 

As president, Trump appointed three justices to the U.S. Supreme Court who helped form the majority that overturned the constitutional right to abortion - and he has taken credit for that during his campaign. 

Highlighting Trump's connection to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and its impact on pregnant people across the U.S. has become a cornerstone of Biden's campaign. Biden has also warned that a second Trump term could lead to nationwide abortion restrictions. 

Trump said on the debate stage that he believes in abortion ban exceptions "for rape, incest and the life of the mother." 

Those exceptions are at the heart of a case the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling on Thursday. Under Idaho's abortion ban, women have been unable to get abortions in medical emergencies because the state only has an exception to save the life of the mother - not to save her health. 

Trump repeated his catchall states-rights response when abortion rights came up, touting that he returned the abortion question to individual states after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which once granted a federal right to abortion. 

It's an attempt to find a more cautious stance on the issue, which has become a vulnerability for Republicans and driven turnout for Democrats. 

While Trump has repeatedly claimed "the people" are now the ones deciding abortion access, that's not true everywhere. 

Voters don't have a direct say through citizen-led ballot measures in about half the states. In those that do allow such measures, abortion rights coalitions in several states this year have faced intense efforts by anti-abortion groups to thwart citizen initiatives on reproductive rights.  

Voters in seven states, including conservative ones such as Kentucky, Montana and Ohio, have either protected abortion rights or defeated attempts to curtail them in statewide votes over the past two years. 

Trump, Biden make multiple factual missteps - 9:15 p.m.

Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump made multiple factual missteps as the debate began on Thursday. 

Biden started out his debate with a gaffe, claiming he had created 15,000 jobs. The correct number is more than 15 million, a dramatic undercount by someone trying to renew voters' confidence in his economic leadership. 

Biden also said, "It's $15 for an insulin shot, as opposed to $400." But out-of-pocket insulin costs for older Americans on Medicare were capped at $35 in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act that President Joe Biden signed into law. The cap took effect last year, when many drugmakers announced they would lower the price of the drug to $35 for most users on private insurance.  

Trump said the U.S. economy was ready to start paying down its national debt before the pandemic. That's not true. Budget deficits were increasing under Trump because his 2017 tax cuts didn't pay for themselves as he had promised they would. Trump inherited a budget deficit of $585 billion and it ballooned to $984 billion in 2019, only to climb above $3 trillion in 2020 after the pandemic hit, according to the White House Office of Management and Budget. 

And Trump's claim that "millions" were admitted to the country from prisons and mental institutions is unsubstantiated. There is no evidence of that. 

Trump opens debate by bragging about the state of the economy while he was in office 

Donald Trump opened Thursday's debate by bragging about the state of the economy while he was in office, as well as his handling of the pandemic.  

He said: "Everything was rocking good."

He also said the U.S. economy was ready to start paying down its national debt before the pandemic.  

But that's not true. Budget deficits were increasing under Trump because his 2017 tax cuts didn't pay for themselves as he had promised they would. Trump inherited a budget deficit of $585 billion and it ballooned to $984 billion in 2019, only to climb above $3 trillion in 2020 after the pandemic hit, according to the White House Office of Management and Budget. 

Economy top topic at first debate - 9:09 p.m.

With the economy as the first issue of the debate, Joe Biden detailed what he described as an American economy "in freefall," while Trump bragged about the state of the economy while he was in office, as well as his handling of the pandemic. 

About 3 in 10 Americans said the economy was the most important problem facing the country in a May Gallup poll , but that included a range of economic issues.   

About 1 in 10 pointed specifically to the high cost of living or inflation. About 2 in 10 Americans said immigration was the top problem facing the country, and another 2 in 10 said the government/poor leadership was the most important problem. 

Biden Atlanta watch party - 9:01 p.m.

Supporters of President Joe Biden have gathered to watch the debate at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

Biden is scheduled to drop by to pay them a visit later tonight.

Biden, Trump introduced at debate - 9 p.m.

Thursday's debate began with a recitation of the rules by the hosts, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. No audience is present. 

President Joe Biden and presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump both slowly walked to their respective podiums as they arrived at the debate stage. They did not shake hands. 

Trump's likely VP picks are in the building 

The Republicans seen as Donald Trump's most likely picks for his running mate will be among those speaking on his behalf to the media after Thursday's debate. 

Ohio Sen. JD Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio will be advocating for Trump in the post-debate analysis, according to a person familiar with the plan who was not authorized to speak publicly. 

They're all seen as being on Trump's shortlist for a potential running mate and their performances tonight are expected to be a factor in their audition for the role. 

Biden arrives at CNN - 8:38 p.m.

Biden has arrived at CNN in Atlanta for Thursday's general election debate. He was accompanied by his wife, Jill.

FOX News began its pre-debate coverage on FOX 5 Atlanta - 8:30 p.m.

FOX News discussed what issues Biden and Trump will likely spar over during the first presidential debate of the 2024 election season. 

The calm before the debate in downtown Atlanta - 7:45 p.m.

The debate may still be over an hour away, but watch parties across metro Atlanta are already talking about what they expect to see from each candidate and what they would consider a win. 

Traffic troubles challenging small businesses in Atlanta - 7 p.m. 

Because of the presidential motorcades moving through the city and Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosting a Copa America match, many small businesses are feeling the pinch Thursday. READ MORE

More demonstrators fill Atlanta streets - 6:50 p.m.

Pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered two blocks from tonight's presidential debate sight in Atlanta. Counter-protesters also filled the sidewalk along the opposite side of 10th Street.

PETA is also among the many groups of demonstrators, as is independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, who was not asked to participate in Thursday night's debate based on his poll numbers.

Trump lands in Atlanta ahead of debate - 5:20 p.m.

Former President Donald Trump landed 10 minutes early at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Thursday night's debate.

The former president was greeted by a small group of supporters who cheered loudly as the plane taxied in from the runway.

Trump flashed a defiant gesture at the crowd, clinching his fist, as he walked down the stairs from his personal jet.

He did not meet with any dignitaries, but instead immediately went over to his Secret Service motorcade.

‘Trump Force Ones’ at Atlanta's airport - 4:50 p.m.

Former President Donald Trump might not be flying in on Air Force One, but his limited-edition shoes are being represented at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport by some of his fans. FOX 5’s Brittany Edney ran into one supporter waiting for the former president ahead of Thursday’s debate. 

Dom Lucre tells FOX 5 he spent about $600 on the shoes, adding that it's the first shoe released by a president.

Dr. Jill Biden lands in Atlanta to support husband at debate - 4:30 p.m

First lady Dr. Jill Biden deplaned one of the presidential jets and was greeted by a small delegation. 

Supporters await Trump to arrive in Atlanta - 4:15 p.m.

A small crowd has gathered at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport anticipating the arrival of former President Donald Trump.

Protesters begin to gather ahead of presidential debate - 4:05 p.m.

FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo found two lone supporters for Biden and Trump respectively. More protesters are expected to demonstrate their political views in Atlanta.

President Biden arrives in Georgia for debate - 4:45 p.m.

President Joe Biden has arrived in Atlanta. Air Force One landed shortly after 3 p.m. at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta. There were several top local Democrats waiting to meet the president, including Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, former Atlanta mayor and UN ambassador Andrew Young, former mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former state Senate Majority Leader and gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams, DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, DeKalb CEO-Elect Lorraine Cochran Johnson, and former state Senator Jason Carter.

President Biden spent several minutes speaking to each person before getting into a waiting car.

PHOTOS: Atlanta Presidential Debate | June 27, 2024

Former President Donald Trump is not scheduled to arrive until 5:30 p.m. He will be landing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The Presidential Debate is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. It is being hosted by CNN. FOX 5 Atlanta's coverage will begin at 8:30 p.m. and it will be shown on FOX 5 and on our streaming app, FOX Local. 

What were the rules?

There are some changes to the rules for the first presidential debate.

There will not be a studio audience and the microphone will be muted while the other candidate is speaking.

And, neither candidate will be permitted to bring any pre-written notes or talk to anyone on their staff during breaks.

The Associated Press and FOX News contributed to this report

2024 ElectionJoe BidenAtlantaDonald J. Trump