President Joe Biden is facing a storm of negative headlines across the media landscape following his debate against former President Donald Trump on Thursday night. The reaction has been overwhelmingly critical, with pundits, commentators, and columnists on the Democratic side sounding alarms and urging Biden to consider stepping aside.
The fallout from Biden’s lackluster performance was so severe that it infiltrated even straight news coverage. Legacy media, left-wing outlets, and typically pro-Biden publications all reported on the growing concerns within the Democratic Party about Biden’s ability to continue as the nominee.
Here are some of the headlines from various media outlets following the debate:
- The New York Times: “A Fumbling Performance, and a Panicking Party: President Biden’s shaky, halting debate performance has Democrats talking about replacing him on the ticket.”
- Politico: “Dems freak out over Biden’s debate performance: ‘Biden is toast’”
- The New York Times: “‘It’s Frightening’: Democratic Voters Worried by Biden’s Struggles in Debate: Democrats found President Biden’s performance disconcerting, while Republicans were in a jubilant mood. Swing voters were flummoxed.”
- Politico: “‘WTF’: Panicked Dems start looking for alternatives to Biden”
- Semafor: “The debate Democrats feared”
- The Washington Post: “Democrats panic over Biden’s debate performance, doubt his future: The consternation over his halting performance encompassed both the halls of Congress and the living rooms of Democratic stalwarts.”
- NBC News: “Alarm and amusement at Biden’s performance as world reacts to Trump debate”
- CNBC: “Top Democratic fundraisers sound the alarm after Biden’s debate performance”
- ABC News: “Swing state voters react to presidential debate, Biden’s weak performance”
- Al Jazeera: “Biden falls flat against Trump in first 2024 US presidential debate”
- CNN: “Biden’s disastrous debate pitches his reelection bid into crisis”
- BBC: “Democrats backed into a corner over Biden’s performance”
- BBC: “Analysis: Biden’s incoherent debate performance heightens fears over his age”
- Variety: “Biden Should Never Have Debated Trump — and CNN Did Him No Favors”
The response from the media highlights a growing sense of panic within the Democratic Party. Biden’s shaky and halting debate performance has not only alarmed Democratic voters but also left swing voters perplexed and Republicans celebrating. The widespread media criticism underscores the precarious position Biden finds himself in as he faces increasing doubts about his viability as the Democratic nominee for 2024.
