Donald Trump looks on as Joe Biden crumbles before his eyes

Democratic US President Joe Biden struggled with a shaky performance during the first presidential debate while his Republican rival Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of attacks. The two oldest US presidential candidates in history traded deeply personal insults ahead of the November election. Biden, sounding hoarse, made several verbal slips early in the CNN presidential debate on Thursday, local time. In a notable gaffe, Biden stated, "We finally beat Medicare," prompting Trump to seize on the error, claiming Biden has "beaten Medicare to death and is destroying Medicare". Both ageing candidates faced scrutiny over their ability to serve, with Biden's age and clarity under question, while Trump’s divisive comments and numerous legal issues remain significant liabilities.