SUMMARY

The CNN Presidential Debate was the first time President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off this election season. It was also the first debate between a sitting and former president. In the 90 minute debate, the candidates tackled the economy, immigration, abortion and questions about whether they are fit to serve another term, if elected.

While Trump’s falsehoods were a key part of the analysis by voters, journalists and pundits, discussion mainly centered around Biden’s poor performance as he struggled throughout the debate.

Read the Associated Press’ Debate-watchers in the Biden and Trump camps seem to agree on something: Biden had a bad night.

Then check out:

1. Washington Post’s Democrats panic over Biden, doubting his future
2. New York Times’s A Fumbling Performance and a Panicking Party: President Biden’s shaky, halting debate performance has Democrats talking about replacing him on the ticket
3. The Wall Street Journal’s Biden Crashes in First Clash With Trump: The president appears unsteady while Trump mostly keeps his composure discuss whether or not Biden needs to withdraw from the race.
4. Look up other articles from different news outlets. What do you find? Are they similar or different to the headlines above?

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. Who were the two candidates debating in CNN’s presidential debate and what parties do they represent?
2. What were the main headlines to come out of the debate?
3. How did the rules of the debate (no live audience, mics cut after candidate responds to official question, etc.)
4. When is the 2024 presidential election? When is the Republican Convention? Democratic Convention?
5. Why/How

FOCUS QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think Biden had such a tough night? Do you think the Democrats should try to replace him at the Democrat Convention (August 19 to 22, 2024) in Chicago? Who makes this decision? Who do you think should make this decision? Learn more here.
2. Do you think it affects Trump’s support with voters that he continued to tell falsehoods during the debate (see Politifact’s Analysis: Fact-checking the CNN Trump-Biden debate), such as the events that took place in Charlottesville, Va.?

Media literacy:

1. Do you think the CNN moderators should have fact-checked Trump during the debate? Explain.
2. Do you think the journalists who discuss politics in particular are more prone to bias than journalists who cover other beats?
3. What clips did the NewsHour choose to highlight of the debate on their YouTube page?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

FOR MORE

What students can do:

Watch more clips from the debate on NewsHour’s YouTube page. Discuss the debate with a friend, classmate or neighbor. What conclusions do you draw?

WATCH: Biden and Trump address their ages and fitness for office | CNN Presidential Debate:

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