CNN host Fareed Zakaria says first debate with Donald Trump 'make-or-break' for Joe Biden's reelection

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: CNN host Fareed Zakaria claimed incumbent Joe Biden's performance in the first debate against former President Donald Trump may end up deciding the chances of a second term for him at the White House, during a guest appearance on the show, 'CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta.'

With the date of the first debate, to be hosted by CNN on June 27, fast approaching, Zakaria stated, "I think it's a big moment for Biden. I think it’s in some ways a make-or-break. He has a lot more to gain or lose from this."

Fareed Zakaria's pointers for Joe Biden ahead of presidential debates

According to Fox News, Zakaria's advice to the incumbent is that he should approach the debates "as if he's the underdog, as if he's coming from behind, which is all true, but it's hard for the president of the United States to think that way. It's one of the reasons presidents have typically done badly in debates, particularly in the first debate."

He brought up the example of former President Barack Obama from when he debated Mitt Romney, as he continued, "Obama — who's a very good orator — did very badly in the first debate against Romney because the president has been spending his time governing, he's been spending his time with his Cabinet and his White House staff, all of whom defer to him. Every time he walks into the room, the Marine band plays, every time he walks under a tarmac, he's walking on Air Force One or Marine One."

"It's not an atmosphere conducive to recognizing that people can disagree with you. You don‘t realize that you have to punch and counter-punch."

"So Biden has to take this opportunity to be very feisty. The thing I pointed out in that commentary was he is really behind on the question of who is more competent, and I believe that there's a 25-point drop from the 2020 rates for Biden. That is about energy, that‘s about your ability to show that you're in command, you're in control, so it‘s a big moment for Biden," expressed Zakaria.

"I think it's a historic opportunity for him. There's a great moment for CNN. I think this will be one of the most widely and closely watched debates in American history," he concluded.

Internet reacts to Fareed Zakaria's statement

"He broke everything already," wrote a user on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) responding to Zakaria's "make-or-break" comment.

"Broke 4 years ago," jibed another.

"It's break. There is no coming back from dementia unfortunately," commented a third.

"Biden's campaign is already broken. The debates will just be the nail in the coffin," echoed a fourth.

"Biden is done. This is his hail mary attempt," claimed a fifth user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.