Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

‘Give him one of the Panera lemonades’: Social media in meltdown over Trump and Biden’s debate performance

“Biden is saying true s*** incoherently,” one X user said. “Trump is saying fake s*** coherently.”

Katie Hawkinson
Friday 28 June 2024 06:10 EDT
Comments
Key moments from Biden and Trump's first debate

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Social media users went into meltdown over the first presidential debate of 2024.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden faced off for the first time since 2020 on Thursday night. Trump made several false claims throughout the debate, including that Nancy Pelosi “turned down” his offer to send thousands of soldiers and the National Guard to the US Capitol during the January 6 2021 insurrection.

Meanwhile, Biden’s debate performance was marred by his raspy voice, jumbled words and repeatedly interrupting his own sentences.

Neither candidate hesitated to take shots at the other — and there was no handshake between the two candidates as they took the stage.

Social media reacted to the 90-minute debate with a mixture of horror and humor.

“All of the US right now,” a user wrote on X
“All of the US right now,” a user wrote on X (X)
“bro this debate,” Connor Franta wrote on X
“bro this debate,” Connor Franta wrote on X (X)
“Biden has looked like this the entire debate,” a user wrote on X
“Biden has looked like this the entire debate,” a user wrote on X (X)
“Give him one of the panera lemonades maybe,” a user wrote on X
“Give him one of the panera lemonades maybe,” a user wrote on X (X)
“I say give them both a Roku remote and the first one to start a movie gets to be president,” a user wrote on X
“I say give them both a Roku remote and the first one to start a movie gets to be president,” a user wrote on X (X)
“Biden coughing like Beth in Little Women I’m sure it’s fine,” a user wrote on X
“Biden coughing like Beth in Little Women I’m sure it’s fine,” a user wrote on X (X)
“Biden is saying true s*** incoherently,” one X user said. “Trump is saying fake s*** coherently. We’re f*****.”
“Biden is saying true s*** incoherently,” one X user said. “Trump is saying fake s*** coherently. We’re f*****.” (@amandastern/X)
“DEBATE NIGHT IN AMERICA! Sweet Jesus! The networks are packaging this as entertainment, like a boxing match, and selling democracy down the river,” Stephen King wrote on X. “It’s a shame”
“DEBATE NIGHT IN AMERICA! Sweet Jesus! The networks are packaging this as entertainment, like a boxing match, and selling democracy down the river,” Stephen King wrote on X. “It’s a shame” (X)
“Bruh if y’all not watching Trump embarrass Biden in this debate… y’all missing out on pure comedy,” a user wrote on X.
“Bruh if y’all not watching Trump embarrass Biden in this debate… y’all missing out on pure comedy,” a user wrote on X. (X)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in