Biden struggles, Trump lies: See 'The View', 'GMA' reactions to the debate

In the minutes and hours following the first debate of 2024 between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, late night hosts and morning show anchors had a variety of reactions to what happened on stage.

For 90 minutes on Thursday without a studio audience, Biden and Trump attacked each other's records on the issues facing the nation, including abortion, childcare costs, the spread of opioids and other challenges. Moderators and CNN anchors Dana Bash and Jake Tapper also pressed the candidates on the Israel-Hamas war and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Biden struggled on the debate stage with a raspy voice attributed to a cold, and froze at one point while talking about Medicare, causing worry among Democrats over the president's performance and candidacy as he runs for a second term in office.

Here's how TV show hosts and political pundits reacted to the debate.

Finally, MSNBC and Fox News agree: The CNN Presidential Debate was a grisly mess

'The View' hosts spar over pressure for Biden to step down

On Friday afternoon, hosts of "The View" passionately discussed whether or not it's time for Biden ? or Trump ? to step back from pursuing the presidency.

“While Biden raised concerns with a hoarse, occasionally weak delivery, Trump lied dozens of times in nice, clear voice," co-host Joy Behar started off the conversation.

Co-host Sara Haines said it was a "hard watch," and "it pains me to say this today, but I think President Biden needs to step down and be replaced." She theorized that Biden's team saw it coming and pushed for an earlier debate for that reason.

"I think that what we saw was that Biden lost the debate," co-host Sunny Hostin said, but later asserted the Democrats shouldn't be the only party talking about replacing their nominee.

"I think it's really ironic that the party that should be pressuring their candidate to step aside is the Republican party," Hostin said, while running through Trump's record of bad behavior.

'Good Morning America' hosts recap 'disaster'

"The president struggled with answers...Trump struggled with the truth," "Good Morning America" host George Stephanopoulos said Friday morning at the of the show.

"This was a disaster for Joe Biden," Jonathan Karl, chief White House correspondent for ABC News said.

"The President did make a late night stop at a Waffle House and was asked directly about his debate performance," Rachel Scott said during "Good Morning America." "He said he had no concerns but that is not what we are hearing from Democrats this morning."

'CBS Mornings' focuses on Biden's debate struggles

"Both presumptive nominees were hoping to shake off concerns about their age and their fitness for office, but President Biden failed to land any knockout blows, and his stumbling performance is raising a lot of alarm bells for many Democrats this morning," "CBS Mornings" host Gayle King said.

"His struggles drew attention away from a blizzard of false claims from Donald Trump," "CBS News" Chief White House Correspondent Nancy Cordes said in the post-debate report.

'Today' show highlights Biden's struggles, Trump's misinformation

"Today" kicked off their Friday morning show with reactions and analysis to the debate with anchors from "NBC Nightly News" and "Meet the Press."

"President Biden's struggles in some ways overshadowing the multiple lies and grievances from former President Trump as both candidates now look ahead to rallies today in states they hope to win," "Sunday NBC Nightly News" anchor Hallie Jackson told hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie.

Jon Stewart on 'The Daily Show': 'We just watched...what you watched'

In a live post-debate analysis for 'The Daily Show' following the debate, host Jon Stewart ripped into Biden's stumbles and on-screen gaffs and Trump's attacks on Biden, his attacks on the economy under Biden and his continual denial of the affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels that led to his recent criminal conviction.

"We just watched...what you watched," Stewart said while opening the show after the debate.

"Let me just say after watching tonight's debate," Stewart said before a long pause, "both of these men should be using performance-enhancing drugs. I'm sorry. Both. As much of it as they can get, as many times a day as their bodies will allow."

"If performance-enhancing drugs will improve their lucidity, their ability to solve problems, and in one of the candidate's cases, improve their truthfulness, morality and malignant narcissism, then suppository away."

Contributing: Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Debate reactions: 'The View' 'Today,' more discuss Trump, Biden