Joe Biden and Donald Trump are gearing up for a historic US presidential debate scheduled for Thursday, marking a pivotal moment in the 2024 race as millions of viewers prepare to witness the clash between rivals.
The debate, set between the oldest-ever incumbent and a former president with a criminal conviction, kicks off what promises to be a contentious summer of campaigning in a deeply divided and tense United States still reeling from the aftermath of the 2020 election chaos and violence.
With only two debates scheduled this election cycle, Thursday’s event carries significant weight. Both candidates have intensified their attacks as national polls indicate a tight race.
As they finalize their debate strategies, a crucial question looms: Will Trump, known for his aggressive style, rein in his tendencies or unleash his trademark unruliness, reminiscent of their chaotic first debate four years ago?
“I think I have been preparing for it for my whole life… We’ll do very well,” Trump stated in an interview with Newsmax about his debate readiness.
Trump is aiming to avoid major missteps during the debate. Meanwhile, he continued his assertive stance on social media, where he labeled himself “the greatest threat to our democracy,” a message likely to be reinforced during the debate.
Trump will arrive in Atlanta on Air Force One for the debate at CNN headquarters, while Biden will fly in on his private jet, nicknamed “Trump Force One.”
Although Trump holds a slight edge in crucial swing states, overall polling shows a tight contest that could hinge on a few battleground states.
According to the latest Quinnipiac University poll, conducted on Sunday, Trump leads Biden nationally with 49 percent to 45 percent.
Both candidates will use the 90-minute debate to address concerns about their respective political liabilities.
Biden, aged 81, faces scrutiny over his mental acuity, with voters more likely to question his age compared to Trump’s, despite the latter being only three years younger.
Ahead of their unprecedented debate as former presidents, both Trump and Biden have faced moments raising concerns about their age, including occasional verbal stumbles.
Trump is also embroiled in controversy over his inflammatory rhetoric, recent criminal convictions on falsifying business records, and other pending legal issues, raising fears about potential abuses of presidential power to settle personal scores.
