The stage was set for a high-stakes showdown as CNN hosted a crucial presidential debate between President Joe Biden and his GOP challenger, Donald Trump. Anticipation was sky-high as voters tuned in to see the candidates clash ahead of the November election.
But while the debate took center stage, another battle raged off-screen: the ratings war between the top news networks.
Despite being the host, CNN was narrowly beaten by Fox News in viewership. According to Nielsen Fast National data, Fox News drew 8.8 million viewers, just edging out CNN’s 8.7 million. When adding in CNN Español and HLN, CNN’s total viewership hit 9.04 million. MSNBC lagged behind with 3.97 million viewers.
The ratings upset adds to the growing concerns about Biden’s debate performance. Critics and even some Democrats were alarmed by his verbal stumbles and sometimes rambling answers. The 81-year-old’s shaky performance has sparked renewed doubts about his ability to serve another term, fueling internal party discussions about possible alternatives.
CNN’s John King captured the mood among senior Democrats immediately after the debate. Supporters had hoped Biden would clearly articulate his stance on immigration to counter Trump’s attacks. Instead, his delivery fell flat.
“It involves party strategists, involves elected officials, it involves fundraisers, and they’re having conversations about the president’s performance, which they think was dismal, which they think will hurt other people down the party in the ticket, and having conversations about what they should do about it,” King reported.
“Some of those conversations include whether we should go to the White House and ask the president to step aside,” King added. This internal debate suggests that some Democrats might push for Biden to reconsider his run.
Although Biden regained some composure later in the debate, his closing remarks did little to alleviate party leaders’ concerns. The uncertainty casts a long shadow over the campaign, potentially reshaping Democratic strategy as the election nears.
“[Biden] stuck to his official position. I think he could’ve expressed it more strongly,” a source close to the White House told CNN. “He needs to remind the American public of his record, both on the border and on helping long-term undocumented immigrants. He hasn’t done that yet,” another source noted, describing Biden’s unexpected pivot to immigration while discussing abortion as “awkward and not helpful.”
Meanwhile, Trump, at 78, flaunted his mental acuity and recent golf victories. “I took two cognitive tests. I aced them, both of them,” Trump said. “I’m in very good health. I just won two club championships.”
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