Joe Biden had a “bad, bad moment” during the televised CNN debate on Thursday night when he lost his train of thought.
When answering a question about the national debt, Biden said: “We would be able to wipe out his debt, clear up all those things we need to do in childcare, elder care, making sure we continue to strengthen our healthcare system, making sure we’re able to make every single solitary person eligible for what I’m been able to do with dealing with everything…If we finally beat Medicare…”
Amy Koch, former majority leader of Minnesota senate, told Daily Express US: “The Biden confusion was a bad, bad moment.”
Sources familiar with Biden’s debate preparations said he had been battling a cold in recent days, which could have led to his hoarse voice and confusion.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, said in a memo following his February physical that Biden experiences “occasional symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, primarily having to clear his throat more often.”
Voters were watching Biden, 81, closely during Thursday’s debate as concerns grow over the president’s age and mental acuity. They were also watching Trump, 78, who has faced additional criticism on his job performance.
The two candidates traded barbs about the state of the economy during Thursday’s debate, with Biden telling voters the economy is booming and Trump saying “the economy is crashing.”
They also spoke about abortion rights and Trump’s appointing of three conservative nominees to the Supreme Court, who paved the way for the court’s 2022 decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Biden and Trump also slammed each other’s records on immigration, with Biden saying Trump’s deportation policy would “rip spouses and children from their families, homes, and communities and place them in detention camps.”
What’s up next?
ABC will host the second debate on September 10. The network has not offered details on where its event would be held, only that it would be moderated by anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis.
And don’t forget about the running mates. Trump hasn’t named his yet, but Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation from CBS News to debate her eventual rival in studio on either July 23 or August 13.
