Trump and Biden face off in 2024 presidential debate

President Biden stumbled several times early in Thursday night's debate in Atlanta before finding his stride, and his Republican rival, former President Trump, was quick to capitalize on the missteps.

(NEXSTAR) – President Biden stumbled several times early in Thursday night's debate in Atlanta before finding his stride, and his Republican rival, former President Trump, was quick to capitalize on the missteps.

Biden's voice sounded raspy – a source told The Hill he was battling a cold – and he cleared his throat repeatedly while responding to questions from the moderators, veteran CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.

In one notable moment, Biden seemed to lose his train of thought after abruptly jumping from tax policy to healthcare, trailing off before saying, "Look, we finally beat Medicare" as his time ran out.

Trump pounced on the moment, responding, “That’s right, he did beat Medicaid, he beat it to death. And he’s destroying Medicare.”

Biden appeared to gain momentum later in the debate, denouncing the Jan. 6 riots, laying out plans to keep Social Security solvent by making the wealthy "pay their fair share" and describing how his administration lowered prescription drug prices like insulin.

Biden repeatedly tore into Trump in personal terms, bringing up everything from the former president’s recent felony conviction to his alleged insult of World War I veterans to his weight and golf game. Initially focusing many of his answers on illegal immigration, Trump in the latter half of the debate lapsed into familiar grievances. Each man called the other the worst president in history.

A debate under new terms

Unlike the 2020 debate in Cleveland, when a barrage of interruptions left former Fox News host Chris Wallace fighting to keep control, new rules – many insisted on by Biden's team – limited the on-stage chaos in Atlanta.

The stipulations at the CNN Presidential Debate included mutable microphones, no studio audience, a ban on props or prewritten notes and no opening statements, among others.

While polls show the majority of adults aren't excited about either candidate, it appeared that the debate would draw broad interest.

Six in 10 said they were either "extremely" or "very" likely to tune in, whether by watching the entire debate, viewing clips or following news about it, according to an Associated Press/National Opinion Research Center poll.

“I think it’s super important,” said Victoria Perdomo, a 44-year-old stay-at-home mom and a Trump supporter in Coral Springs, Florida. “It shows America what you’re going to see for the next four years.”

Absent on the debate stage Thursday was independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who counter-programmed on his own website.

CNN deemed Kennedy ineligible after failing to meet polling and ballot qualification benchmarks.

What was at stake

Democrats were hopeful that Biden could bring the same energy he did in his State of the Union address earlier in the year, with his team aware that he could not afford to have a bad night with the nation watching.

Trump, who already has a solid base of voters, had the chance to win over swing voters and moderates.

While Trump appeared to stumble less than Biden in his delivery, he leaned into numerous falsehoods about the economy, illegal immigration and his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.

The debate, featuring deeply personal attacks by both men, came at a pivotal juncture in their unpopular presidential rematch.

Biden’s uneven performance risked crystallizing voter concerns that at age 81 he is too old to serve as president, while the 78-year-old Trump’s rhetoric offered a perhaps unwelcome reminder of the bombast he launched daily during his tumultuous four years in office.

What's next?

A second debate between Trump and Biden is already scheduled for Sept. 10, and will be hosted by ABC.

Rumors have swirled for months about Trump's upcoming selection of running mates, a decision he could make before – or during – the Republican National Convention in July.

The vice presidential debate between Kamala Harris and her yet-unnamed Republican opponent is set to happen either July 23, Aug. 13 or after both party conventions, according to The Hill.

Another important calendar date for Trump is July 11, when he will appear for sentencing after a jury convicted him on dozens of felony counts of falsification of business records.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.