Former Debate Coach Explains Biden’s and Trump’s Debate Strategy | WSJ

President Joe Biden has been in nearly 30 presidential-level debates throughout his political career. Now, he’s teeing up to debate former President Donald Trump again in Atlanta. But what is different about their debate style and what can voters expect from the first presidential debate of the 2024 general election on Thursday night?
WSJ spoke with Ted Olson, a former debate prep coach, to understand how Biden and Trump approach debates.
Chapters:
0:00 2024 presidential debate
0:45 Biden’s debate style
2:44 What it’s like to debate against Biden
3:38 Trump’s debate style
5:56 What’s next?
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#Biden #Trump #WSJ

[@wsj]

We rewatched the 2020 Trump-Biden debates. Here’s what we learned: on.wsj.com/45MG6yX

[@Chicken_Soy]

no

[@acc4465]

why is a lifelong politician a good thing. biden has never had a real job. how would he know anything?

[@DixiecratDemocrat]

It's all rigged slanted hard to the left, why are Democrat activists always the debate moderators?

[@user-rg7sg6kp1p]

Look .... if .... we finally beat medicare

[@ttoja1267]

Is the ambulance waiting right next to the discussion room?

[@zemo7483]

YES

[@DemetruisMiller]

Wn ambulance is always near the president no matter how young or old they are😅

[@Onebigsocialexperiment]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@officerahmo]

An ambulance for one and the prisoner transport van for the other...

[@oceanwave4502]

Biden won't remember anything he was instructed beforehand... 🤨

[@kezza6921]

Biden will speak like he is 30 beers deep again 😅

[@ferntheyoutuber9960]

Called it

[@cookiehawk]

W prediction

[@pete5819]

bumbling mumbling Brandon

[@SilverStrumer]

He has to. That 2020 campaign got him the presidency. This soft spoken Joe isn’t gonna cut it.

[@murrayheaney9020]

@@SilverStrumerHahaha 😅 Person Woman Obama Obama Obama. A Sharpie can change the course of a Hurricane 🌀 Aeroplanes ✈️ in the American 🇺🇸 Revolution. Hamburders. Covfefe

[@jerry42023]

Notice how they cut off Biden when he sounds like an idiot?

[@DanielKolbin]

Notice how Trump lies way more

[@quantumblauthor7300]

You could hear him talking at all

[@thechaos7897]

It's funny, a country of 340 million people can't find a presidential candidate other than these two. 🤣🤣🤣

[@metamoney7657]

The people of the country don’t get a choice. It’s all done by bureaucrats

[@JackStrap-dx5gf]

Trump is the best ever.

[@gavinmerchant8175]

Trump is a great candidate 💯

[@daytonshuflita2201]

@@JackStrap-dx5gfmaybe the best of the two but definitely not the best ever.

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

​@@metamoney7657 Democrats are the ones who short-circuited their primaries. Trump was 100% chosen by the people. Just ask Jeb. 😂

[@krzeszewski]

is biden still alive?

[@paddy.g4182]

😂😂😂

[@Jack-vu1yr]

Unfortunately yes

[@ARDG89]

I hope so or else Kamala Harris would make our country look even more pathetic

[@bocolatebhipbookie]

i feel bad for him tbh he seems so gone. you'd think he'd wanna relax in his final years. 😭

[@Profe046]

“Because you’d be in jail”

[@DanielKolbin]

And she still isn't. Shows Trump's corruption.

[@sheenacampbell2810]

Joe took an L

[@ajoecollazo]

Biden looks out of it

[@155gerard]

The way Biden smiles to cover up anger shows what a bill sheeting politician he is. plus snarky, sarcastic and condescending.

[@thehunzz]

Very true.

[@MichaelBurkhalter]

A lot of people cover up anger with smiles. Has nothing to do with any of that. Dislike a politician all you want, but don’t make up nonsense

[@JacobieHumphrey]

As a debater, I cover up anger with a smile. If you're trying to win a debate, you're going to try to make yourself look good even if you're mad at the debate so far

[@155gerard]

@@MichaelBurkhalter The only nonsense is your statement that "a lot of people cover up anger with smiles", which lacks the necessary adjective to make it true, phoney. A lot of phoney people cover up anger with smiles. People who are genuine and authentic don't need to as you say "cover up".

[@Graymenn]

i wonder what kind of cocktail they will use to keep biden awake and coherent.

[@garyluciani1082]

Whatever cocktail they used didn't work very well.

[@mr.pizzamarlon]

*The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly*

[@dawuid1491]

Just the bad and the ugly

[@Rick_Cavallaro]

Watching people discuss and compare the two as if there is any parity at all is like being in the friggin' twilight zone!

[@jeremyf5175]

he got cooked 💀

[@mvp019]

Tonight's exciting episode of "Senility vs. Stupidity" - must not-see TV!

[@timothylopez8572]

A political debate a not some rap battle, where the best DIS wins. A third grade insult is not a rebuttal.

[@jeffreyrudolph5061]

"Unprovoked" is the biggest lie ... of your lifetime ; start w/ that .

[@bobthemagicmoose]

I lament to disagree. Delivery trumps content for most people.

[@Natty1620]

Completely wrong. This is the ROAST BATTLE of the century you flake 😂

[@suziesuwandi2748]

I like Trump's saying it like it is. Typical politicians do not like brutal truth slapped on in public. That's why they never attempted to fix the growing deficits w China. UNTIL Trump stepped in. I like a leader who protected the interest of taxpayers first more than cronies Fascists who took the subsidies but wouldn't create good quality jobs.

[@isaiahdamron445]

I also disagree. The unfortunate reality is that 90% of people who are swayed are done by sound bites when it comes to presidential elections in America

[@oliviao2238]

We, the people, are entitled to a constructive debate. While some may prefer name-calling and posturing, that's their prerogative. Let us choose to be the mature voices in the world for once.

[@holysmokes3723]

Well said 👏👏👏

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

"...for once." Fact Check: True

[@ProfoundFamiliarity]

I'd certainly like to see a president who doesn't resort to name-calling. Unfortunately we, the people, are all very much imperfect or at least we seem that way when compared to one ideal or another. I wish they'd let RFK join the debate tonight, he seems to have that bit more integrity from what I've seen of him so far.

[@Gouda992]

@@ProfoundFamiliarityJFK is dead

[@pete5819]

Biden couldn't speak. I had the captions on that they couldn't even pick up what he was saying

[@blackmancer]

Speedy Joe gonna be high AF

[@JOKER-bl4rd]

Trump's gonna drop ice cream on the floor to throw Biden off he's game

[@badluck5647]

Biden will just have to talk about windmills and sharks, and Trump will have a meltdown.

[@FutureCommentary1]

​@@badluck5647and flushing toilets.

[@cobrakai388]

@@badluck5647 or just remind the Bible Merchant that Vlad and Kim just had BROS TIME and hangout together without him.

[@quantumbuddhist]

​@@cobrakai388you know pumpkin was on Skype

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

@@cobrakai388 Russia Collision is the most debunked Hoax in world history and you STILL haven't caught on?? 🤣

[@user-oy2yw9rz2u]

Hoping for a healthy debate

[@badluck5647]

Hoping but not expecting

[@pwetty4r4]

The real debate is going to be on X with RFK answering the questions live. we already know what these two are about

[@badluck5647]

@@pwetty4r4 I want to know why RDK thinks "the jews" made covid.

[@pwetty4r4]

@@badluck5647 Because Israel was hit with the virus a good 3 months before everyone else. Mainstream media won't tell you about that. Not telling anyone what to think but there is certainly more to the story

[@ezsyt]

lol

[@pendleton123]

"Stand back and stand by"😂😂

[@Mor_timer]

Biden participated in a presidential debate in 1987... LET THAT SINK IN!

[@melontusk9660]

What was Trump doing in 1987 that makes him a better candidate? Trump was 41 years old in 1987. Let that sink in.

[@realgammer6645]

@@melontusk9660 you feel proud that biden is the president of usa

[@abdiganiaden]

T is old too

[@Gouda992]

And Trump was a 41 year old playboy in 1987

[@NapoleanBlown-aparte]

And trump used his power from being born into a rich family to draft dodge, Nice try bot

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

What Trump has to do is remain calm, tell the truth about the Biden presidency, and *let Joe speak.* 😀

[@emcemc7506]

Trump tells the truth? 😂

[@ltsk8MD]

@@emcemc7506Your not seeing the point, all trump had to do and did was to let Biden dig a hole he can’t climb out of without a ladder(ladder being death or the corrupt democratic party 😊)

[@mrsmile5009]

@@emcemc7506 ate least he is the most honest among his fellow politician.

[@dianaverano7878]

It was a disaster! What strategy you are babbling about? Painful to watch

[@georgef1176]

This debate was a train wreck. I hope people see Joe Biden is too old to go another 4 years. He must step aside. And Trump is NOT the answer. NH governor Chris Sununu should have ran for president this year but I understand why he’s waiting. In 4 years Chris Sununu would be a good president. He’s done amazing for NH.

[@jamesbaxter9150]

Let Bobby Kennedy debate!

[@hobbso8508]

No

[@jamesbaxter9150]

@@hobbso8508 Why not?

[@ringtail99]

@@jamesbaxter9150 because he didn't meet the requirements for the debate

[@jamesbaxter9150]

@@ringtail99 I don't think that is very good reason considering the organizers designed it so Mr Kennedy couldn't meet the criteria on time. Bobby should be allowed to debate the other two candidates. Millions of Americans don't like either major party candidate. I think they should be allowed to hear from alternatives.

[@yashamaga1319]

I would rather take my eye out with a fork than listen to his voice for 90 mins. Not to mention he changes his stances like like the wind blows

[@chrisjohnson2057]

This guy describing Brandon, is literally out of his mind😂😂😂

[@randym5515]

Let Kennedy debate

[@cookiehawk]

they should’ve

[@exanimafilm]

Honesty he should've challenged biden and got the primary

[@siemenstraffic]

Joey was in Camp David the whole week preparing for the debate.. Joey got the questions in advance and all of his answers are pre-recorded.. If Joey mumblers, the switch over to the pre -recorded answer. This even explains why the modulator has the power to turn off the microphones and no live audience during the debate.

[@ringtail99]

that Is because he is talking this seriously

[@yashamaga1319]

And he gave the single worst performance in the history of debates 😂

[@garyluciani1082]

That's not true. He never got the questions beforehand. Hillary Clinton did before the democratic primary debate.

[@panv3308]

Easy win for Trump

[@Mishal._m]

i just cant wait for this

[@federicovitale5885]

This video made me think this: Biden is controlled, Trump not. Instead of talking about the points of the two candidates you just depicted "the good" and "the bad". Very credible.

[@frantstorpmadsen3279]

are you crazy?

[@lambrosk6016]

CNN hosting event with a two minute delay rather than the usual 7 seconds. 😂😂

[@rodfatherderek]

A documentary on not allowing free speech, a circus

[@Kjleed13]

Wow, I’ve forgotten about the proud boys thing. Are people really undecided?🤦🏻‍♂️

[@otiswright2893]

What ?

[@yashamaga1319]

You don't even know what the proud boys is. Do some research

[@Matt-fu5ty]

It didn’t go as planned. 😬

[@dylangaradyn6734]

How does a 80+ years old man stand 90mins and talk?😂

[@meshalkhyriem2372]

Maybe he's on gear 😂😂

[@rokgod7]

I know they said the smile is disarming, but I disagree a bit. A smile, in response to something that's positive is natural and disarming. When people smile or laugh while you're trying to make a serious point, is very disrespectful, and shows petulance, IMO. It basically shows contempt for the person and their argument.

[@lolo_o4309]

A smile can be a natural response to a blatant lie or insult. So it is really about what you already "know", that decides whether it's good or bad.

[@rokgod7]

@@lolo_o4309 Fair, but my point still stands. It’s not amiable or respectful, it’s contemptuous.

[@quantumbuddhist]

​@@rokgod7a rebuttal of contempt for contempt is fair play If it was about social norms the felon wouldn't be included

[@rokgod7]

@@quantumbuddhist Didn't argue anything regarding fair play. Trump nor Biden are fit to be president, IMO, for various reasons. I have contempt for both of them. I'm voting for Chase Oliver. My point remains unchallenged. A contemptuous smile or laugh as a response to a serious point is disrespectful and not disarming as the person in the video suggested.

[@Anthony4949]

How does a politician who’s been in office 50+ years relate to everyday people genius?

[@GallowayGaming96]

How does anyone relate to a billionaire?

[@shanmantv]

​@GallowayGaming96 especially one who got a "small loan of a million dollars" from daddy 😂

[@dulouser1751]

No person in recent times that has been elected to the highest office in a large industrialized state can relate to the common man, as the de facto prerequisites for such an appointment include an exceptional standing. That said, that doesn't mean that they are incapable of making decisions that are in the common interest. George Washington wasn't exactly a nobody, neither was Atatürk or Bismarck, yet people such as these are generally considered exceptional statesmen that made sound decisions for the people they led. But of course in practice this elitist candidate selection makes corruption just so much easier.

[@Anthony4949]

@@dulouser1751 agree somewhat but don’t ever compare a single founding father to any of these corrupt pieces of trash. George Washington knew what it felt like to be oppressed without representation even after he served the British army. So yes he was elite but he would’ve been hung along with all founding fathers so he absolutely knew the life of the common citizen. Read the federalist papers.

[@pete5819]

​@@GallowayGaming96in this day and age we needed somebody with power to stand up to corruption and communism

[@lollol-zo9xy]

That old guy Ted Olson got the most beautiful hair I've ever seen an old guy have lol 😂🤔🧐

[@The_Oblivion_Light]

Well I watched only 20 minutes worth and I must say Biden was slipping, yet Trump stayed strong, but there was a lot of fact checking with his side of the debate. Biden still has a slight chance because Trump is not really all that favorable with every other person. In the end, like someone said down below, we had a chance to regain normalcy during the Republican debates, debates Trump never attended, but we cast aside at least two, Christie and DeSantis. Haily was prominent, but the reality of it with her is that the female president barrier may have gotten her overall. It will happen one day ladies, don't worry about that. I mean Hillary didn't lose that much by Trump back then, so that is a sign. Oh well, personally, I am not looking forward to voting in November. These two are far too experienced in chaos in their own unique ways. If Biden wins, we will continue on the path of more money problems. If Trump wins, it will be for more years of nothing with a bunch of acting like he is doing something. But there is a silver lining with that...We will have 4 more years of SNL. They was at their peak during the Trump Administration!!!

[@user-xp3jb6ve9w]

You fools - If your only choice is Laurel and Hardy you are gone down low low low in your apostasy

[@johnknope1664]

Did Biden's wife always walk him off stage ?

[@RossiKG]

Trump is a smart man. Businessman. He is collected and speaks with a clear mind. clearly clear. And Biden is too old. It's high time to retire

[@originaozz]

Felt bad for the journalists with how bad their latest debate turn out. Man they fell off HARD.

[@djp1234]

Debating with Trump is like playing chess with a pigeon.

[@AraBalaji]

Good god! Thats an insult to pigeons

[@Onebigsocialexperiment]

Can't be that bad if he made it all the way to the oval office.

[@djp1234]

@@Onebigsocialexperiment that just shows how effective Kremlin propaganda is on social media. They turned half of this country into zombies.

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

Doddering Joe in the White House is like putting a pigeon in charge of the country.

[@Real_ghostboi]

And we’re about to watch Joe Biden lose a game of chess to the so-called “pidgeon” in the presidential debate🤣🤣🫵

[@Chad-Giga.]

As somebody who just took a college debate class and got an A; I would like to say that Biden has absolutely zero debate skills; while on the other hand Donald Trump is a very skilled debater, he is a very smart man.

[@bobbo0616]

Anyone gonna watch just to find out how they’re gonna fix things? Yeah me neither.

[@MCorpReview]

Trump is like never interrupt the enemy when he is doing your job (Napoleon)😂Biden’s mumbling was golden.😊

[@HappyBear376]

How would he know?

[@holographicman]

The tictoc style voiceover is slightly weird in context of politics, but waaay better than a newsspeak voice so don't take it wrong, just maybe a tiny bit more like how a normal person speaks. Thanks for the update!

[@miliov]

ELDER ABUSE!!!!!!!😂😂

[@chandima94]

WSJ doing great neutral work as usual. It would've been easy to make a blatant attack on someone by picking one side, but you did a pretty good and informative analysis. Great job guys!

[@wt1272]

Well, this didn't age well. No pun-int ... nvm

[@thomascosta5115]

4:08 That's an exceedingly kind way of putting it.

[@battle_promaster3631]

😂😂😂 and Biden failed big time. Senile joe. Liberals are shaking 😂😂😂

[@eilois]

i think AI could be better candidate

[@leakd]

I don't like that man!! I wonder what antics he'll pull tonight on the debate stage.

[@karmasutra4774]

Which one? 😂

[@EdgarMJack]

Thank you for the great content! 🇨🇦

[@igormarinelli9641]

That aged well

[@Leo_19091]

LESGOSKI, MARINOSKI, LEWANGOLSKI, MIKE WAZOWSKI, BLASZCZYKOWSKI

[@Internatube]

Bold to assume either of them had a strategy and didnt just "wing it"

[@yashamaga1319]

Brandon was practicing for a week straight with 16 people 😂😂😂

[@SilverStrumer]

I’m glad the crowd was quiet though. Debates are about the issues not entertainment.

[@riptyurass302]

There wasn’t one

[@alborghettichicotedefogo333]

Who will going to help Biden go up the stair to debate stage?

[@garyluciani1082]

Oops, this didn't age well. I assume this was before the debate. Someone get a towel to wipe the egg off.

[@metrotcb9560]

The Nancy Pelosey Jan 6 responsibility video not exactly accurate by Trump account, nothing in the video says that Trump offered national guards only why wasn't there national guards, why wasn't it pre-arranged

[@myth3516]

Wait there was a strategy? >_>

[@alberteinsteinlookalike]

Search 'em both for earpieces to take cues from the MORE KNOWLEDGABLE!!!

[@Kennybank1000]

There was a stragegy ? 😂😂

[@GregoryFranzoni-cc9dt]

The Democrats should have substituted Jeff Dunham’s Dummy “Walter” for Joe Biden. “Walter” has much more substance than Joe Biden ever had. lol😂

[@auro1986]

wsj, show that coach who is teaching them now

[@meej6452]

One is still sharp, the other has dementia.

[@hobbso8508]

True. Trump has been coming apart at the seams recently. Fox had to cut away from him.

[@XenoLife]

The Manhattan project of the pharmaceuticals industry 🤣 I wonder how many pills they will have to swallow to keep it together for 90 min

[@TLiu-1b]

What oppenheimer project

[@infinitytoinfinitysquaredb7836]

"they"?? 😄

[@gavinmerchant8175]

Who Biden? 😭 yes. BIDEN will need pills to stay awake. Because sleepy Joe is drifting off after talking every 5 mins🤣

[@AvidaHusen]

Thanks so

[@Greenpoloboy3]

5:07 Will you shut up man! Love that part

[@kalebmcmaster2739]

He definitely was nodding his head

[@class.C]

WSJ try not to gush over biden impossible challenge

[@wilesmith]

this aged well

[@ninajefferson4018]

WRONG 6:12 SO WRONG "YOUR" LYING POLES!

[@rob3142]

Biden is the EXPERT ON FALLING😂😂😂😂

[@AndreaDoesYoga]

Insightful analysis on Biden's and Trump's strategies 👏

[@adammuse3541]

he has been in more than 30 debates but he gets stomped by trump

[@eliasfigueroa923]

This time doesn’t work for him . He is done

[@BigHevYT]

Me - I wish I could eat ice cream all the time and not get brain freeze. What's your secret Joe?!! Joe - Look...here's the deal...Let me make it clear.. C'mon man! It's because I have no brains!!..Pause.

[@brainlessman548]

How these people talk about them seriously?

[@user-fu7mu2bs5y]

Don’t care Voting for Trump

[@muuhoang7592]

A congenital liar accused others being a liar.

[@ajbotte1003]

Lot of time spent showing Biden young and able to put a sentence together😒

[@davidpride8199]

Joe Biden can drop the microphone with these questions tonight, and walk off of, the stage. Rebuttal to Trumps, immigration commentary: Is your wife legal, Donald? How did she get an Einstein Visa reserved for world contributors, and Noble Peace Prize Winners? Will you show her immigration application to the American people, before November 3rd? Done deal.

[@octonoozle]

Trump just needs to walk over to Biden and administer a drug test.

[@davidpride8199]

@@octonoozle Perhaps. But do you know where Melanias fraudulent immigration application, is?

[@riptyurass302]

Joe Biden would never do this. Any democrat would take this as a racist engagement and not vote for him.

[@VanillaGorilla21]

Let’s go Brandon

[@quantumbuddhist]

Trite hackneyed....try something clever

[@gavinmerchant8175]

@@quantumbuddhistcringe 😭

[@shanmantv]

​@@gavinmerchant8175boring response 🥱

[@JurisPrudence-ie4eb]

Let us not for 34 felony counts!

[@AJ-fh8nv]

President Trump 🇺🇲♥️

[@bgskagen]

"A decent honest humanbeeing"... one that has lied his whole life 😂

[@talhahkhan7696]

3:38 in full control of his faculties 🧐🤨🫣🤫🫡🫨

[@Ishikawa745]

we have a convicted fellon and a someone who can barely speak straight. Anyone who else wants to run... anyone ????

[@DCarloss]

I dont understand people who actually enjoy politics….

[@ceciliamarieingledue807]

I personally can’t stand politics, but I have a firm believe that every US citizen has a duty to vote and presidential elections cause it’s the one time when people actually get to have their voice heard or at least some people they’re supposed to regardless of all of the clutter surrounding the 2020 election that’s still a firm belief to me. Everyone has a duty to vote. I don’t understand people who refuse to frankly I don’t like either option that we got right now for the candidates so I think people should really just vote for whoever they think will do the best job as president, regardless of party I’ve never understood party loyalty but maybe that’s because I myself am an independent and I have a lot of views that are on both sides of the aisle. I’m much rather would’ve had Hillary back in 2016. I much rather would’ve had someone like say Bernie who wanted free healthcare with slightly higher taxes. I don’t like inflation I don’t like to rich I think working class families need help and they aren’t getting that. I’m really big into human rights because I’m a person who cares about other people and it’s quite distressing to see people being taken away regardless of disagree with those right or not I don’t think anybody deserves that I mean isn’t the entire reason why our founders broke off from Great Britain was to protect their rights and that is a very important thing as is the rule of law is the constitution I love this country. I don’t think it was ever not great. I think it’s always been great but I think it’s always had problems and that doesn’t mean that I’m not nationalistic. That means I’m realistic you can be national without admitting that there are problems that need to be fixed, we have an education system which is being destroyed right now by banning book banning is something that the Nazis did back in World War II and if you don’t find a problem with the Nazis doing it that’s a bigger tell us what that person is like our education system dramatically underpays teachers my fiancé is a teacher‘s aid, but she won’t even go and actively use that experience because she’ll only get paid 1425 an hour you think teachers and teachers would be paid a lot more because their teaching the next round of people some of those people are gonna go and be politicians are gonna be social service, employees or run food, shelters, or help with the homeless epidemic that our country has speaking of a homeless. Most of our veterans are homeless you think as a country that props up our military we do more to help them once they’ve gotten out of the service and are no longer in the military, it’s crazy that we don’t take care of them after they’ve gotten out of the service anyway that tangent aside I hate politics, but I care about who runs my country

[@krzysztofchojnowski3997]

One sided material sounds like advert for Joe Biden

[@james-ob9rz]

He looks like a decent person lol

[@duckman554]

0:28 They dont seem like it.

[@TruusNeander]

No friends!😂