Jill Biden says she thought Joe Biden was having a stroke during 2024 debate

“Joe, you did such a great job. You answered every question. You knew all the facts,” she told the crowd.

But elsewhere, Democratic leaders and donors expressed concerns about the then-president’s performance. Kamala Harris, who rarely criticised Biden publicly, even admitted it was a “slow start” to the debate.

Voters’ concerns about Biden’s health, mental acuity and age – 81 at the time – already weighed heavily on the debate.

Biden’s showing at the debate became a key topic of scrutiny in US media outlets, with concerns raised about his ability to do the job of president as well as his chances in the November 2024 election.