President Joe Biden's performance at a rally in North Carolina on Friday was described as energetic and consistent, raising questions on social media about what has changed following Biden's dismal performance in last night's debate.
Biden spoke at length about his administration's accomplishments and goals as he faced off against former President Donald Trump in the CNN presidential debate on Thursday night. Democrats have reportedly panicked over Biden's lackluster performance, with some calling for him to be replaced as the Democratic National Committee's nominee. Meanwhile, a Biden aide said: Newsweek Late Thursday night, it was reported that the president was battling a cold during the debate.
Less than 24 hours after the debate, Biden took the stage at a campaign event in Raleigh, North Carolina. As the crowd cheered, Biden shouted, “Thank you, North Carolina!” He then apologized to the supporters sitting behind him for having to turn away, joking, “It's comforting to know you all have my back.”
Alison Joyce/Getty Images
Former Twitter X users were shocked at the stark difference between his performance last night and today.
“Biden is speaking at a rally in North Carolina right now and he's animated, articulate and furious. Where was this guy last night?” says Catherine Rampell. The Washington PostI have written.
Investigative journalist Lisa Guerrero shared videos and photos from Biden's rally, writing, “What the hell? Are you watching this? Biden looks like a totally different person at the rally in Raleigh, North Carolina! Maybe he was really sick yesterday?”
What is this? Are you looking at this?
Biden was a completely different person at the rally in Raleigh, North Carolina!
Maybe he was just really sick yesterday? pic.twitter.com/JuubbfKdgU
— Lisa Guerrero 💃🏽 (@4lisaguerrero) June 28, 2024
“Biden directly addressed his debate missteps and delivered a powerful rally performance, not unlike last night: sharp, passionate and clearly conscious of the threat posed by Trump. Will that be enough to calm the anxieties of his party?” wrote New York Times writer Susan Glasser. New Yorker.
Selina Wang, senior White House correspondent for ABC News, posted, “Biden's energy is higher in NC compared to last night's debate. It's very different with cheering supporters. Biden making jokes and the crowd responding. A completely different debate format. They could use a teleprompter at a rally.”
There was no audience at the debate, advance notes were prohibited, and Biden was onstage for just 20 minutes at the rally, compared with 90 minutes at the debate.
CNN and scenery“This is completely inexplicable. The Biden debate was a disaster, followed just 18 hours later by a huge Biden rally in NC. Dear Joe Biden, get rid of everyone who set you up for that debate. Do it now,” he posted.
Rolling Stone Political reporter Nikki McCann Ramirez posted a video of Biden's speech at the rally and wrote, “Can't help but wonder where this guy was last night.”
Newsweek The Biden campaign was contacted via email seeking comment.
Biden spoke about the debate during a campaign speech, telling the audience, “I don't know what you all did last night, but I spent 90 minutes on stage debating a guy with the morals of a wildcat. Did you see Trump last night? My guess is he actually set a new record for the most lies told in a single debate.”
There were misleading statements from both sides, but Trump made far more than Biden. CNN counted more than 30 false statements made by former president Trump, while the network reported that Biden made at least nine false or misleading statements during the debate.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom, seeking common ground and finding connections.