Photo Gallery: Americans watch Trump and Biden in election debate
HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden and his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, met for the first general election debate of the 2024 season — a chance for the candidates to try to reshape the political narrative and persuade undecided voters.
Thursday’s 90-minute debate was held in Atlanta and hosted by CNN. Americans with varying opinions on the nation’s most pressing issues gathered at venues across the country for watch parties.
A screen broadcasts the first general election debate of the 2024 season between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, during a watch party at the Nite Owl drive-in theater, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Elaine Freeman, a Trump supporter from Oxford, Ohio, and employee at the local Veterans Affairs hospital, said the economy is the most important issue in this election. For her family, the cost of living is too high and she has trouble covering the cost of basics like groceries every week.
Elaine Freeman, of Oxford, Ohio, watches a U.S. presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Hamilton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
“For what I make, 15 years ago I would be considered upper middle class... I should not be living paycheck to paycheck.”Elaine Freeman
Adriana Varea, a policy and legislation fellow for the League of United Latin American Citizens, said immigration is a huge issue and that gun control should be addressed. She said she goes to school in Lewiston, Maine, the site of a mass shooting in 2023 in which 18 people were killed.
“Gun control is definitely something that I’m passionate about,” said Varea, who was at a debate watching event in Las Vegas.
Reginald Marsh, owner of the M Lounge in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago, watched with customers and said there’s not one top issue for him.
Reginald Marsh, owner of the M Lounge in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago, watches with patrons the Presidential Debate Thursday, June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
I just believe Trump is dangerous for this country,”Reginald Marsh
London’s Bar & Grill in McAllen, Texas, is normally loud on a day close to the weekend, but the owners said they were surprised so many were quiet and engaged with the debate.
Hector Mercado, a military veteran donning a beret who lives in Edinburg, Texas, said he liked what Trump said about closing the border.
Virginia Lopez was also at the Texas bar and said she’s an undecided voter.
“I really feel that one of them — the Republican, I’m disappointed with what he’s done — with his behavior,” she said. “And the other one, I just feel like he’s too old.”
Deb Moore of Saco, Maine, reacts to a comment by Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump during the presidential debate with President Joe Biden, during a watch party at Broadway Bowl, June 27, 2024, in South Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump are reflected in the glasses of Agenor Leite, who recently moved to the U.S. from Brazil, during a presidential debate viewed from Hula Hula, a tiki themed karaoke bar, June 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Chuck Thompson, of Mason, Ohio, reacts during the U.S. presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, June 27, 2024, in Hamilton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Veteran Hector Mercado, 72, watches the presidential debate in a crowded McAllen, Texas bar Thursday, June 27, 2024. Although he was a Democrat for several years, he switched parties under Reagan. (AP Photo/Valerie Gonzalez)
Yea, he said a few things bad about about veterans at one point back in the early days. But now he’s saying, no, I back up the veterans and I never had any problems with him. I got a raise in my VA disability when Trump was president.”Hector Mercado
Liquor bottles are placed on a back bar at the Abbey Food & Bar in West Hollywood, Calif., June 27, 2024, as a presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, is broadcast. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Vanessa Soteldo listens to a simultaneous translation into Spanish on her cell phone as she watches the first general election debate of the 2024 season between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, on a giant outdoor screen at the Nite Owl drive-in theater, June 27, 2024, in Cape Coral. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
A patron, who wished to remain unnamed, puts their head in their hands as people watch a presidential debate at Hula Hula, a tiki themed karaoke bar, June 27, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Lori Lahrmann left, and Tonya Morris, second from left, both from Cincinnati, watch the presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at Tillie’s Lounge, June 27, 2024, in Cincinnati. Both plan to vote for President Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Clarence Picou, 88, right, and his daughter Jackie Andrews, 59, watch the presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, June 27, 2024, in the Fellowship Hall of the Stronger Hope Church in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
I’m with Trump on that (immigration), I think Biden will win it, but Trump has some good points there too. Just because I am an African American doesn’t mean I am a Democrat, But Trump got some good points.”Clarence Picou
Lynn Miller shouts at the TV after a comment by Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump during the presidential debate with President Joe Biden, during a watch party at Broadway Bowl, June 27, 2024, in South Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Amy McKinley, a Louisville resident and business owner, reacts during a watch party of the presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at Old Louisville Tavern, June 27, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Michael Fossat signals to his dog, Myla Zane, to stand still while watching a presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, at the Abbey Food & Bar in West Hollywood, Calif., June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Oz Ortiz, center left, kisses his partner, Sebastian Montano, while watching a presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump in West Hollywood, Calif., June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Liam Van Rosenberg bowls during the presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, during a watch party at Broadway Bowl, June 27, 2024, in South Portland, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Financial consultant Alec Anello relaxes in a hammock as he watches the debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, on a giant outdoor screen during a watch party at the Nite Owl drive-in theater, June 27, 2024, in Miami. The viewing party was organized by the Biden-Harris campaign and the Florida Democratic Party. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Seen through a beer glass, patrons look on during a watch party of the presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at Old Louisville Tavern, June 27, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
President Joe Biden, right, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, are seen on a television at Tillie’s Lounge during the presidential debate, June 27, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. talks during a campaign event, in West Hollywood, Calif., June 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Rosa Casares, center left, reaches down to where her daughter is laying on a blanket as she watches the presidential debate in a shelter for migrants waiting to apply for asylum, June 27, 2024, in Tijuana, Mexico. Casares and her family have been waiting for more than three months for their appointment to apply for asylum through the CBP One app. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Blair Savage, 37, watches the Presidential Debate at a watch party at the M Lounge in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago, June 27, 2024. Savage, who identifies as a Democrat, says reproductive rights are the key issues this election season for her. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Sean Cannon, a Louisville resident, reacts during a watch party of the presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at Old Louisville Tavern, June 27, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
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