Overview

• The June 27, 2024 debate broke with tradition by moving from October to June after both candidates accepted early social media challenges, compressing the campaign timeline.
• Biden’s on-stage errors, highlighted by a mid-answer freeze and the flawed “we finally beat Medicare” line, intensified concerns over his age and cognitive fitness.
• Major media outlets and Democratic strategists publicly voiced alarm in the debate’s aftermath, leading to widespread calls for Biden to withdraw.
• Biden suspended his re-election campaign on July 21 and endorsed Kamala Harris, whose rapid nomination proved insufficient to stop Trump’s November victory.
• One year on, Democrats are analysing lessons from the debate’s timing, candidate vetting and messaging to inform future election strategies.