From the Liveblog of
Friday, June 28, 2024
Biden and Trump set to hold first debate
US President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump have both arrived in Atlanta with a debate between the two candidates set to kick off in some 30 minutes.
A lively crowd of supporters greeted Biden as he arrived at his Atlanta hotel ahead of the debate earlier.
The crowd of about 50 chanted “Four more years.” Many wore campaign T-shirts. Some held placards with Biden’s trademark aviator sunglasses on them. Others had signs with the face of Biden’s alter ego “Dark Brandon.”
The president pumped his fist and embraced one man, a possible sign of how he’s getting energized for the evening’s showdown with former President Donald Trump.
Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski, who flew to Georgia with the former president, says Trump was in a “good mood” ahead of Thursday’s general election debate.
Lewandowski says a “small footprint” of Trump’s inner circle was on the plane including top aides Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita.
Trump heard some last-minute advice, Lewandowski says, but was relaxed on the trip.
Security around the debate site, which will take place without an audience or live press, has tightened up in recent hours.
Unscalable fencing has gone up around the CNN studios, as well as the Georgia Tech arena where hundreds of journalists are gathered to cover the debate.
There have been at least a few protesters near the site, including a man clad in a black-and-white prison-style outfit and a sign reading “Lock Biden Up,” and accusing the president of betraying Israel and the US.
A group of pro-Palestinian protesters are also gathered outside, calling to end US support for Israel.
Various groups have indicated their intent to gather near the debate site, but a downpour of mid-afternoon rain may be dampening — literally — some of those plans.
