The first debate for the US presidential election this year began in Atlanta, where US President Joe Biden and his opponent from the Republican Party Donald Trump faced each other in an attempt to attract voters who have not yet chosen who to vote for, the Associated Press reported, BTA reported.
Biden, the Democratic incumbent, has an opportunity to reassure voters that, at 81, he is capable of leading the United States through a number of challenges.
At the same time, Trump, 78, could use the moment to try to walk away from his New York conviction and convince an audience of tens of millions that he is fit to return to the Oval Office.
Today's debate is unique in at least two ways: Never before have two contenders for the White House faced off at such an advanced age, and CNN has never hosted a presidential debate before.
The debates began with a reminder of the rules by hosts Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. They are held without an audience.
US President Joe Biden and presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump slowly made their way to their podiums as they arrived on the debate stage. The two did not shake hands.
Before the debate, President Joe Biden joked about Donald Trump's insinuations that he was using drugs to improve his performance in the debate.
Biden posted photos on social media and a message that he drank a canned drink called "Dark Brandon's Secret Sauce". It's just water in an aluminum can, but the ingredients label lists Trump's 34 convictions and emphasizes that the main ingredient in the aluminum can is "Tears of MAGA" (abbreviation of Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again", in English MAGA, also used as the name of his movement - note ed.).
Although Biden tries to play down Trump's criticism, his campaign staff is already selling the water for $4.60 a can, AP notes.