Politics

Donald Trump and Joe Biden locked horns at the first 2024 presidential debate Thursday night in Atlanta, Georgia -- and, by most measures, the Republican nominee won ... or maybe more accurately ... the current President lost.

During the tense, 90-minute contest, the two candidates stood onstage at podiums fielding questions from CNN hosts Dana Bash and Jake Tapper at the network's Techwood Turner campus studio.

Right from the start, Biden came out of the gates struggling to answer a question on inflation with his hoarse voice barely audible as he gave a rambling response. His camp later told the press that Joe was sick with a cold.

Presidential candidates' sexual relations -- or lack thereof -- with porn stars are now a topic of national debate ... yes this is Trump vs. Biden 2.0.

Stormy Daniels found herself smack in the middle of Trump and Biden during Thursday's debate ... when Biden started taking shots at Trump's felony conviction.

It all started when Biden told voters, "The only person on the stage that is a convicted felon is the man I’m looking at right now," a clear reference to Trump being found guilty of making hush money payments to Stormy.

Body language expert Patti Wood is weighing in on President Biden and Donald Trump's debate, and says just a few key gestures could impact who wins the war of words.

Patti tells TMZ ... viewers need to look out for 4 first impression factors, including credibility, likability, attractiveness, and power. Patti noted she'll keep a close eye on Biden Thursday night, as she says he's a master at likability -- citing his smile and crinkle around his eyes as evidence.

But, Patti's quick to point out Trump has one very important strength ... which is projecting power.

If you're thinking Donald Trump and President Biden will get rowdy in tonight's presidential debate ... imagine what it's gonna be like in some local bars where they're throwing watch parties and slinging specialty drinks.

We talked to several bars around Washington, D.C. and Atlanta -- where the debate's being held -- and much like a big sporting event, the debate will be shown on multiple screens ... even taking priority over actual sports.

Some of the bars have specials, like a $10 old-fashioned -- likely a crack at the candidates' advanced ages. Other pubs have signature cocktails and dishes for the night-- and, one D.C. pub's taking it to the next level by setting up a drinking game for patrons.

Looks like Joe Biden and Donald Trump are so predictable, folks are eagerly lining up to bet on Thursday's debate -- taking wagers from the utterly bizarre to the strangely specific.

The dice are being rolled on the quirkiest prop bets on BetOnline, a sportsbook not regulated in the U.S., but still open to Americans ... and topics range from who'll interrupt moderators first, how often Putin gets name-dropped, and who'll fumble a politician's name.

Bets are also flying in on non-facts being dropped, which candidate will accuse the other of being on drugs first, who chugs their water bottle first, and if talks of Hunter Biden's potential pardon will kick off.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s making President Biden an offer he hopes he won't refuse -- saying POTUS can't beat Donald Trump, but there's a way he and Joe can team up to take him down.

The independent candidate sat down with Dr. Phil for an interview that comes out Thursday evening before the debate -- and in one clip, RFK Jr. slams the widely held belief he's playing spoiler in this year's election.

Kennedy cites a Zogby Analysis Poll released last month which claims Biden can't beat Trump head-to-head -- but RFK Jr. actually could defeat 45 by a tight margin.

Former Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau is laying out the keys to victory for President Biden, at least when it comes to debating Donald Trump ... and it's more about demeanor than policy.

Jon joined us Wednesday on "TMZ Live" to share some insight on how Biden is most likely preparing for Thursday's presidential debate, and what it's going to take to have a successful night.

With all the concerns, valid or not, about Biden's age, Jon says POTUS needs to bring the energy on stage ... and be forceful in everything he says.

1:58 PM PT -- A lawyer for Fiona Harvey tells TMZ ... "The statements of George Galloway, a former Member of Parliament with his own agenda, which vaguely and generally claim that Ms. Harvey stalked him 'hundreds of times' forty years ago, has nothing whatsoever to do with what Netflix did to Ms. Harvey in 2024."

Fiona Harvey, the self-proclaimed inspiration for Netflix's "Baby Reindeer," has been hit with a new stalking allegation ... as British politician George Galloway has come forward as an alleged victim.

George stopped by "Piers Morgan Uncensored" and claimed Fiona stalked him during the '80s ... stating he chose to speak out after seeing FH on Piers' show last month.

Paris Hilton's standing up for kids without a voice ... testifying before Congress on behalf of the children in the welfare system, and touting her own accomplishments in the space.

The socialite-turned-mogul was on Capitol Hill Wednesday to testify about the abuses of children in the system -- relating it to some of her own experiences -- before diving into how she's trying to solve the issues.

Check out the clip ... Hilton mentions she's helped outlaw several harsh disciplinary practices, including restraint and seclusion, and she's also pushed for increased site visits to hold those running foster homes accountable.

Joy Behar says it's Donald Trump, not Joe Biden, who needs to be tested before this week's debate ... and she wants Trump hooked up to the polygraph.

We got "The View" host out Tuesday in NYC outside ABC Studios -- and our photog asked her about Trump challenging Biden to take a drug test ahead of Thursday's debate ... something DT floated in an attempt to suggest Joe is on PEDs, which is unfounded.

Trump's been attempting to fan the flames on this speculation about Joe before big public events -- but Joy's seriously downplaying those concerns ... and flipping the tables on DT.

Barack Obama's half sister was inadvertently tear-gassed during a deadly demonstration in Africa ... and it's all on video.

Auma Obama was being interviewed by CNN in the middle of Tuesday's protests in Nairobi, Kenya -- when all of a sudden, explosions could be heard in the background ... and she starts coughing and tearing up.

The ex-Prez's half sibling -- to whom he's related on his father's side -- says she can't see anymore because of tear gas in the air ... and CNN field reporter Larry Madowo starts coughing too as the street interview is forced to end.

Mark Hamill sees a win-win situation in an upcoming Colorado election featuring Rep. Lauren Boebert ... and the punchline here is her theater groping and vaping video.

Lauren's running for a Congressional seat in a new district in Colorado and ahead of Tuesday's primary, Mark trolled her on social media after her opponent put out an attack ad based on her infamous "Beetlejuice" date.

Her opponent, John Padora, filmed the ad from the very same theater seat Lauren was caught on video getting handsy with Quinn Gallagher and got booted from the musical.

A CNN anchor became so indignant over Trump's Press Secretary criticizing the alleged bias of her CNN colleagues who will moderate Thursday's Presidential debate, she pulled the plug on the interview!

Kasie Hunt had just begun interviewing Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt Monday morning, and right out of the gate, Leavitt said Thursday's debate would be a hostile territory for Donald Trump because the CNN moderators, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, were biased against the former Prez.

Hunt fired back ... her colleagues have "acquitted themselves as professionals," adding that candidates who attack the moderators are showing clear signs they're losing.

Donald Trump says he learned people could get away with abhorrent behavior as long as they had good ratings like he did on "The Apprentice" ... according to a bombshell book.

The ex-prez made the claims during an interview with Variety Co-Editor-in-Chief Ramin Setoodeh for, "Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass" which dropped Tuesday.

We've already told you a little about the new book ... but, just as a refresher, DJT sat for several interviews with Setoodeh and, the portrayal of 45 as a lonely, occasionally dotty man ex-TV star isn't flattering.

Dee Snider's revving up his political engine once more ... reminding the voting public we're all in this together and freedom isn't just a solo ride -- it's for everyone.

Speaking on November's Presidential election, the Twisted Sister frontman tells TMZ it's all about the big picture. He says if you're a gun enthusiast, you still gotta rally for a woman's right to choose. He adds if you're pro-choice, you better be in the trenches fighting for the gun guy because, hey, that's his right too!

Dee's urging people to examine exactly what rights are on the line ... and for him, it's all about women's rights.

Paris protesters are ready for a defecation demonstration ... claiming they're going to poop in the famed Seine to prove just how disgusting it is!

Social media users are talking online about a large-scale plan to defecate in the river after France's President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo claimed it was safe enough to swim in.

Here's the deal ... a couple months ago water charity Surfrider Foundation Europe claimed it had tested the water in the Seine multiple times over the course of six months from September 2023 to March 2024 and claims they found a shocking amount of bacteria in the water.