The first general election presidential debate of the year kicked off at 8 p.m. Thursday, pitting President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump on stage.

CNN, which hosted the debate, emphasized that the debate not only marks the return of the same presidential candidates from four years ago, but this is also the first televised debate between a former and current president. 

Louisiana politicians and natives shared their thoughts on the social media platform X soon after the debate about the candidates' performance: 

U.S. Majority Leader and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, declared Trump the debate's winner after it concluded. Earlier in the debate, he decried Biden's economic plan. 

But former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, a co-chair of the Biden campaign, blasted Trump: 

Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, posted to X, too, enthusiastic about the upcoming election.

State Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans and one of the Legislature's more progressive members, had this to say: 

An hour into the debate, U.S. House Speaker and Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Benton, labeled it "the biggest mismatch in the history of presidential debates."

Donna Brazile, veteran Democratic Party political strategist, former Democratic National Committee chairwoman and New Orleans native, acknowledged Biden's missteps and sought to dispel talk that he would not continue on as the party's presidential nominee:

Email Sophia Bailly at [email protected]