President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced each other in a historic debate on Thursday night.

It was the first time in history that a sitting US president faced a former president in a debate. It was also the first debate since 2020 featuring either Biden, who did not face a serious challenge for the Democratic nomination, or Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee who skipped all the GOP debates during primary season.

The roughly 90-minute debate took place at CNN's studios in Atlanta, and it was moderated by Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. There wasn't an audience — an anomaly in debates between presidential candidates. 

This was also the earliest presidential debate in US history. Debates between general election candidates have always started in September or early October.

First lady Jill Biden, right, joins her husband as he talks with moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash after the debate.
First lady Jill Biden, right, joins her husband as he talks with moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash after the debate.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
People gather on the floor of the post-debate "spin room," which was held at Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion across from CNN's headquarters.
People gather on the floor of the post-debate "spin room," which was held at Georgia Tech's McCamish Pavilion across from CNN's headquarters.
Adam Rose/CNN
US Sen. Marco Rubio, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2024%2F06%2F21%2Fpolitics%2Fdonald-trump-vice-president-contenders%2Findex.html" target="_blank">a potential pick for Trump's running mate</a>, waves in the spin room after the debate.
US Sen. Marco Rubio, a potential pick for Trump's running mate, waves in the spin room after the debate.
Adam Rose/CNN
The Bidens embrace after the debate.
The Bidens embrace after the debate.
Austin Steele/CNN
Trump and Biden were debating each other for the first time since 2020.
Trump and Biden were debating each other for the first time since 2020.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fcnn-debate-trump-biden-06-27-24%23h_109fa0b98a86513d81c5ff87355c981c" target="_blank">Biden appeared to struggle with his delivery</a> at multiple points during the debate. He cleared his throat or coughed multiple times, a condition that his doctor has previously stated is caused by acid reflux. His voice sounded hoarse and raspy, even more so than usual. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fcnn-debate-trump-biden-06-27-24%23h_ef5bc314213720f37b6a8eb3440c9571" target="_blank">He has been battling a cold in recent days</a>, sources familiar with his debate preparations said.
Biden appeared to struggle with his delivery at multiple points during the debate. He cleared his throat or coughed multiple times, a condition that his doctor has previously stated is caused by acid reflux. His voice sounded hoarse and raspy, even more so than usual. He has been battling a cold in recent days, sources familiar with his debate preparations said.
Austin Steele/CNN
People watch the debate at Union Pub in Washington, DC.
People watch the debate at Union Pub in Washington, DC.
Tristen Rouse/CNN
Photographers take photos of the candidates during the first of two commercial breaks.
Photographers take photos of the candidates during the first of two commercial breaks.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Trump makes a point early in the debate. Trump launched his bid to reclaim the White House in November 2022, aiming to become only the second commander in chief to win two nonconsecutive terms.
Trump makes a point early in the debate. Trump launched his bid to reclaim the White House in November 2022, aiming to become only the second commander in chief to win two nonconsecutive terms.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
People watch the debate in Washington, DC.
People watch the debate in Washington, DC.
Tristen Rouse/CNN
Microphones were muted throughout the debate except for the candidate whose turn it was to speak.
Microphones were muted throughout the debate except for the candidate whose turn it was to speak.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Heading into debate night, <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fcnn-debate-trump-biden-06-27-24%23h_cf76b10322fc787d5b5ad185cbc4e017" target="_blank">the latest update to the CNN Poll of Polls</a> found a tight race with no clear leader.
Heading into debate night, the latest update to the CNN Poll of Polls found a tight race with no clear leader.
Austin Steele/CNN
Biden, at 81, is the oldest president to ever hold office. He would be 86 at the end of a second term.
Biden, at 81, is the oldest president to ever hold office. He would be 86 at the end of a second term.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Trump watches Biden answer a question.
Trump watches Biden answer a question.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Biden watches Trump during the debate's first hour.
Biden watches Trump during the debate's first hour.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Trump exits the stage during one of the commercial breaks.
Trump exits the stage during one of the commercial breaks.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
The candidates levied personal attacks against each other as they sparred over the economy, immigration, abortion and more.
The candidates levied personal attacks against each other as they sparred over the economy, immigration, abortion and more.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
With less than five months until the election, the stakes were high as the candidates made their pitch to voters. Another debate is scheduled for September 10.
With less than five months until the election, the stakes were high as the candidates made their pitch to voters. Another debate is scheduled for September 10.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Biden looks at his notes during the debate.
Biden looks at his notes during the debate.
Austin Steele/CNN
Trump responds to a question.
Trump responds to a question.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
The candidates are seen on monitors from the side of the stage.
The candidates are seen on monitors from the side of the stage.
Austin Steele/CNN
Biden's campaign won a coin toss before the debate to choose which side he would stand on. Trump's campaign then chose for the former president to deliver the last closing statement.
Biden's campaign won a coin toss before the debate to choose which side he would stand on. Trump's campaign then chose for the former president to deliver the last closing statement.
Austin Steele/CNN
Trump answers a question during the debate.
Trump answers a question during the debate.
Austin Steele/CNN
Biden addresses Trump directly during the debate.
Biden addresses Trump directly during the debate.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Bash and Tapper are seen during the debate.
Bash and Tapper are seen during the debate.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Biden answers an early question.
Biden answers an early question.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
No props or pre-written notes were allowed on the stage. Candidates were given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water.
No props or pre-written notes were allowed on the stage. Candidates were given a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water.
Austin Steele/CNN
A camera captures the debate from CNN's Atlanta studios.
A camera captures the debate from CNN's Atlanta studios.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Trump speaks during the debate.
Trump speaks during the debate.
Austin Steele/CNN
Tapper looks at his notes during the debate.
Tapper looks at his notes during the debate.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
The debate rules are explained before Biden and Trump took the stage.
The debate rules are explained before Biden and Trump took the stage.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Tapper and Bash prepare for the debate on Thursday.
Tapper and Bash prepare for the debate on Thursday.
Austin Steele/CNN
Supporters of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. protest outside the White House on Thursday. They were upset that Kennedy was not invited to the debate.
Supporters of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. protest outside the White House on Thursday. They were upset that Kennedy was not invited to the debate.
Tristen Rouse/CNN
MJ Lee, senior White House correspondent for CNN, prepares for a live shot in Atlanta before the debate.
MJ Lee, senior White House correspondent for CNN, prepares for a live shot in Atlanta before the debate.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Biden greets supporters outside his hotel in Atlanta on Thursday.
Biden greets supporters outside his hotel in Atlanta on Thursday.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Trump arrives in Atlanta on Thursday.
Trump arrives in Atlanta on Thursday.
Megan Varner/Reuters
Kennedy supporter Burk Stringfellow protests outside the White House on Thursday.
Kennedy supporter Burk Stringfellow protests outside the White House on Thursday.
Tristen Rouse/CNN
Debate banners hang from McCamish Pavilion across the street from the CNN campus in Atlanta.
Debate banners hang from McCamish Pavilion across the street from the CNN campus in Atlanta.
Will Lanzoni/CNN
Satellite dishes are seen at CNN's Atlanta headquarters on Monday.
Satellite dishes are seen at CNN's Atlanta headquarters on Monday.
Will Lanzoni/CNN