‘They need an audience,’ presidential debate viewers cry over ‘grueling’ Biden-Trump showdown without live studio crowd
VIEWERS have slammed the first presidential debate for eliminating a live audience and muting microphones.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump took the stage in Atlanta on Thursday for the first 2024 presidential debate.
GettyPresident Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump took the stage in Atlanta on Thursday for the 2024 presidential debate[/caption]
APThis is the first debate between a sitting president and a former president[/caption]
GettyViewers slammed this year’s presidential debate for eliminating a live audience and muting microphones[/caption]
A fresh format was introduced for the debate, which required that the candidates’ microphones be muted when the other one was speaking.
Meaning, the two candidates were not allowed to fire back at each other.
In addition, there was no live studio audience, which meant no applause, laughter, or real-time reactions.
Many called the debate boring and asked for a live audience, reporters, and more pushback from moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bush.
“They need an audience. This is all so dry,” one X-user wrote on the social media platform.
“Honestly the worst debate I’ve maybe ever seen,” echoed another.
“The new format is nice, but it is grueling to watch these two speak especially with zero pushback from moderators,” they lamented.
Some viewers took issue with the debate format.
“No audience, no reporters, muted mics, and a two-minute time delay. Total crap. Nothing in this debate will change my mind,” another wrote.
“This whole debate feels gross, they both seem like they are reading off teleprompters, and why the h*** no live audience this is a f***ing Truman show,” a second posted.
What are Trump and Biden's platforms?
A look at what issues matter most to the candidates.
Biden’s talking points:
The importance of democracy after the January 6 attack on the Capitol
Advocate for abortion rights after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with a 6-3 judgment in 2022
His Build Back Better plan, the $2.2 trillion infrastructure spending bill introduced in 2021
Support for Ukraine and Israel while they are at war
Highlight the strong US economy and low unemployment rates during his presidency
Trump’s talking points:
Slam issues at the US-Mexico border, which was a critical talking point for his 2016 win
Criticize the slew of criminal and civil lawsuits filed against him
Applaud the Trump-appointed Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe after the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Discuss a plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, although he hasn’t said which country he wants to win
Advocate for parents’ rights to regulate and restrict discussion of gender, sexuality, and race in schools
NEW FORMAT
Thursday night’s showdown saw several new rules introduced, giving Trump and Biden a different format to work with to sway voters in their favor.
CNN hosted a debate for the first time.
This marked a major change, as all previous showdowns dating back to 1988 were organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates.
In addition, Thursday night’s debate marked the first time in history that a sitting US president faced off with a former president.
Neither Trump nor Biden had prepared notes in front of them.
Candidates were only given two minutes to answer each question.
A response from the other candidate was given a one-minute time limit.
Then, a one-minute rebuttal was allowed.
Both Biden and Trump were given two minutes for their respective closing arguments.
Moderated by CNN’s Tapper and Bash, the debate ran just over the allotted 90 minutes.
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