The 2024 presidential race bore witness to a pivotal debate between President Biden and former President Trump in June of that year, resulting in an unexpected turn of events that would drastically reshape the future of the race. Questions were raised about Biden’s qualifications for office, leading to his subsequent retreat from the presidential ambition. The first anniversary of this transformative debate, June 27, 2025, serves as a stark reminder of that shift in political tides.
Though it was an early presidential debate, it was no less anticipated. Given the almost certain nomination for both candidates, this rematch was eagerly awaited. Prompted by the escalation on social media, there was a choice made for two debates, with the initial one taking place on June 27, 2024. The consequent happenings left the country in a state of shock.
Biden’s performance in the debate triggered an avalanche of questions regarding his mental sharpness. Life-altering questions are still being asked, pondering his cognitive strength, or lack thereof. Following the atop mentioned debacle, on July 21, Biden revealed his decision to terminate his re-election campaign. He voiced his support for Kamala Harris, his once Vice President, as his successor.
Even though the Democrats swiftly rallied behind her, it was not enough. Their efforts couldn’t prevent Trump’s victorious march in the November elections. This article draws on some of the most shared instances during the debate that swung the 2024 presidential election.
Amid the suggestive remarks about age and competency, a unique tête-à-tête over golf took place, forming one of the more direct interactions between both contenders. Boasting about his cognitive test results and two recent club championship victories, Trump turned the conversation around. Biden responded with a claim of having set a six handicap while he was Vice President, challenging Trump to a round of golf under the condition he carries his own bag.
Trump naturally hit back to this, leading to an amusing altercation. Biden threw another punch, claiming Trump had a handicap of eight. Each landing their best shots, the exchange ended with the candidates accusing each other of being childish. A viewer couldn’t help but wonder if this was a presidential debate or playground banter.
Biden stumbled during one significant moment. While referring to the healthcare scenario, the economy and the impact of Trump’s high debt legacy, he stuttered on his words. Wandering swiftly from-billionaire taxing to ‘we finally beat Medicare’, it appeared as though Biden hit an invisible barrier in the middle of his sentence.
Yet another debate point renowned as ‘the age debate’ was ‘three years younger, and a lot less competent’. Age and competence of the candidates were major areas of discussion during election season. It was upon each viewer to form an inference if the arguments during the debate mitigated or elevated these concerns.
During a fiery exchange where Trump and Biden were cornering each other on the poor treatment of veterans, Trump made accusations about how soldiers ‘can’t stand this guy’, referring to Biden. Retorting to this, Biden started drudging up his personal history and pointing to old and contentious reports.
His mention of his late son, Joseph ‘Beau’ Biden, a major with the Army National Guard and a veteran of the Iraq war raised eyebrows. He also invoked an old dispute, referring to the Atlantic report from 2020 where unnamed sources claimed Trump had labeled fallen soldiers as ‘suckers and losers’. This report, denied by Trump since its release and supported by few other news outlets, served as another strike in this rapid back and forth.
Biden, playing detective, implied that Trump shied away from visiting a WWI cemetery and scorned at its occupants as ‘losers and suckers’. Claiming to have heard it from a four-star general, Biden catapulted these dubious allegations at Trump, finishing with a rather brusque bluster of ‘My son was not a loser, he was not a sucker, you’re the sucker, you’re the loser.’
All of this served as the backdrop for the absurdity that was the June 27, 2024, debate. The petulant golf banter, stumbling sentences, and questionable accusations shed a heavy light on the character of the then incumbent. The debate did more than merely shape the election, it became a symbol of a broader disagreement over the leaders that we desire and how we wish them to behave.
The hurried rallying behind Kamala Harris after Biden’s spectacular fallout, and the subsequent loss to Trump, also underscores the perceived failings of the Democrats. Fundamentally, the events of the June 2024 debate and their fallout give us insight into the clear divide in American politics. They highlight the challenges that leaders face and the strict scrutiny under which they operate.
The post The Political Downfall: How Biden’s Cognitive State Questioned After Televised Debate appeared first on Real News Now.
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