A potential re-staging of the political face-off: Biden-Trump debate promises fresh exchanges.
It's been eons since these two faced off in a debate, back when the COVID-19 pandemic dominated the news and Trump's administration was under intense scrutiny. Now, Biden's administration is under the microscope, yet he still markets himself as a safer choice.
In the second round of the Biden-Trump saga, newly arising conflicts have been cropping up on the campaign trail and on TV ads, revealing some of the arguments that will likely surface when they clash again at the CNN debate in Atlanta.
In Wisconsin this week, Trump warned voters about a volatile world and an unsteady Biden presidency, stating, "We'll end up in World War III with this person. He's the worst president ever."
On the other hand, a fresh Biden ad bluntly talks about Trump's May conviction on 34 counts, asserting, "This election is between a convicted criminal who is only looking out for himself and a president who is fighting for your family."
The contrasting messages not only highlight the main arguments for each contender, but also show how much the nation, the world, and indeed, the candidates themselves have transformed in the past four years.
From political unrest and the repercussions of election integrity, to the new fight for abortion rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, to Russia's war with Ukraine and the tumult in the Middle East, to the critical question of America's role in the world, the 2024 campaign is about completely different issues even though the same names are still on the ballot.
Economy and immigration remain key worries for voters, and inflation, a challenge that has complicated Biden's economic argument, is certain to be front and center.
Before the first debate, both parties have urged voters to consider: Are Americans better off now compared to four years ago? The question has become a kind of litmus test for partisans, with both sides hoping their candidate can win over the audience.
Rep. Mike Waltz, a Florida Republican, argued Thursday that with the Middle East "on fire," Trump can make the case that he left office with enhanced global security.
"What you'll see in this debate is what the world was like under Trump, and what it's like now under Biden's chaotic leadership," Waltz said on CNN.
Democrats have countered by reminding voters of the turmoil that plagued the Trump White House, particularly towards the end of his presidency. A new Biden campaign ad, airing during the Copa América soccer tournament, displays images of empty arenas and closed businesses.
"Four years ago, we were locked down. Arenas were empty. Trump let us down," a narrator says. "But then, Joe Biden took charge."
The age factor
Whether it's Trump, 78, or Biden, 80, the winner will be the oldest president to take the oath of office – making age and physical fitness key determinants in the race.
More than half of US adults believe both are too old to serve another term, according to an April ABC News/Ipsos survey, a 10-point increase from last year, though surveys suggest there are more doubts about Biden's abilities.
While Trump and his supporters have been portraying Biden as weary and indecisive for months, they have recently revised their strategy ahead of the upcoming showdown.
Trump suggested Biden would be "fired up" for the debate, then insinuated, without evidence, that Biden uses cocaine. (Trump incorrectly claimed that a small bag of cocaine was discovered at the White House last month, but it actually happened last year. The Secret Service investigated and couldn't identify a suspect.)
And in an interview on the "All-In" podcast that aired Thursday, Trump stated that Biden would be a "worthy opponent" and that he doesn't want to underestimate him.
The change in approach comes amid concerns among some Trump advisers that Republicans have set an excessively low bar for Biden's performance, just as they did before this year's State of the Union address.
"Trump wants to present himself as the dominant, energetic, and in-control candidate," said Brian Bartlett, a Republican strategist who worked on Mitt Romney's 2012 campaign. "But we'll have to see if his presentation aligns with reality. If Trump is making those points but Biden has a good night, that won't sit well."
Biden and his supporters have addressed the candidate's perceived frailty head-on.
"Joe and that other guy, they're essentially the same age," first lady Jill Biden told a Green Bay, Wisconsin audience last week. "Let's not be deceived. But what this election is about, it's about the character of the person leading our country."
For incumbents, public opinion can be harsh. Biden's popularity has fallen by 11 points in four years, with almost 6 out of 10 Americans now holding an unfavorable view, according to CNN polls from September 2020 and April 2024. Opinions of Trump have changed far less, with more than half of respondents still viewing him unfavorably.
Televised debates – and their potential for game-changing moments – have been a significant part of modern presidential campaigns.
"This face-off is one-of-kind, as the 45th and 46th commanders-in-chief try to paint their opposition in the initial presidential debate in recent history.
According to Republican strategist Brett O’Donnell, who's been prepping candidates, including Trump's former rivals, for debates, "The task for President Trump is to keep his cool and make Biden defend his past four years' deeds."
O'Donnell explained further to CNN, "The problem for Biden lies in getting under Trump's skin, making him lose his temper, and reminding people of some of the traits they find less charming."
CNN journalists Betsy Klein and Kate Sullivan helped in compiling this report."
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In the debate analysis, concerns about the candidates' age and physical fitness are raised, with a survey showing that more than half of US adults believe both Biden and Trump are too old to serve another term.
Despite Trump's critics portraying him as weary and indecisive and insinuating drug use, he has acknowledged that Biden will be a "worthy opponent" and expressed a desire not to underestimate him.
