“Biden disaster”, “Good night, Joe!”: How world reacted

Joe Biden’s performance in the first presidential debate dominated newspapers and websites in the U.S. and around the world on Friday morning.

Bild — Germany

Germany’s Bild newspaper led its website on Friday morning with the striking headline “Good Night, Joe!”. The paper writes that the debate had been “devastating” for the president.

The Telegraph — U.K.

In the U.K., The Telegraph website splashed with news of calls for Biden to quit after the “disastrous” debate. It writes that a group of Democrat congressmen were reportedly said to now be discussing the need to find a new presidential nominee following the televised clash. The paper quotes David Plouffe, Obama’s 2008 campaign manager, stating the Democrats are at a “Defcon One” moment.

The Sun — U.K.

Britain’s The Sun tabloid leads with the headline “Joe-matosed,” stating “confused” Biden “stumbles and freezes” during the debate with Trump.

La Republica — Italy

Italy’s La Republica newspaper website leads with the headline “Biden disaster, Democrats looking for an alternative.” The paper writes that “Trump’s lies will weigh less than Biden’s memory lapses.” A second article focuses on Trump saying he’s in “great shape” and that Biden should take a cognitive test.

Le Figaro — France

Le Figaro in France also features the presidential debate prominently, stating that it had “gone badly” for the President. “Biden appeared diminished by age, facing an opponent in full possession of his faculties,” its report states.

The Guardian — U.K.

The Guardian also leads on the calls for Biden to stand aside after what it describes as a “shaky” debate performance.

Daily Mail — U.K.

The Daily Mail lead is “Joe’s sad reality.” It reports a “devastating” snap poll of 805 independent voters, with 62 percent saying Biden should no longer be the Democratic nominee following what it describes as a “car crash” debate with Trump.

Clarin — Argentina

Argentina’s Clarin features the debate on its front page, with the headline: “An aggressive clash between a hesitant Biden and an energetic Trump.”

O Estado De S. Paulo — Brazil

Brazil’s O Estado De S. Paulo newspaper features a large picture from the debate, with the headline: “Trump dominates the first debate, with Biden having difficulty rebutting his rival.”

New York Post — U.S.

The debate was too late to make some U.S. newspaper front pages, but the New York Post, in its late city final edition, led with “Just sad.” It states “Biden mumbles, stumbles, freezes in train wreck debate vs. Trump.”

China

China’s Xinhua state news agency runs a fairly straight report on the debate. It states that, during the debate, Biden “made several verbal slips, and his speech was at times unclear.” It added there were reports that some Democrats were disappointed with the president’s performance.

Russia

Likewise in Russia, there is minimal reporting on the debate, with Tass, the state news agency, running a short report on Democrats telling Politico they are discussing replacing Biden as the nominee.