Joe Biden’s voice during the debate raises eyebrows

President Joe Biden faced questions about his physical health early in the debate on Thursday evening.

CNN moderators opened the event by asking Biden what he would say to voters who feel they are “worse off” than under his predecessor, former President Donald Trump.

Biden’s answer, however, was overshadowed by the sound of his croaking, shallow voice, and some critics asked if it was a sign that the president was ill.

“What’s wrong with Joe Biden’s vote?” Karoline Leavitt, press secretary for Trump’s 2024 campaign, wrote to X, formerly known as Twitter. “Didn’t he hide in the woods for a week????” she added.

The context

Biden, 81, has been criticized for his demeanor at public events. Critics of the president, including Trump and his supporters, have said the president’s constant slip-ups while speaking are a sign that his mental acuity is waning.

Trump recently turned 78, and critics have expressed similar doubts about the former president’s mental ability to serve another term in the White House. Polls have shown that the majority of voters have concerns about the age of both candidates.

What we know

Several others reacted to Biden’s croaking voice on social media. Comedian Terrance Williams, who has repeatedly supported Trump, posted a 30-second clip of Biden’s first response of the night to X, writing, “Biden is sick. Listen to his voice and look at his eyes. I hope they have doctors and nurses there.”

Political advisor and opinion researcher Frank Luntz said on X that he watched Thursday’s debate with a focus group of undecided voters and that voters were “surprised and concerned about Biden’s vote.”

“This does not bode well for the questions about his health,” Luntz added.

“Biden’s hoarse voice isn’t the best,” noted columnist Wajahat Ali. “I hope he can drink some water. Bad looks.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.