Republicans and Democrats gather for watch parties in Miami and Fort Lauderdale

MIAMI — President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump did not shake hands and stood about 8 feet apart on the debate stage Thursday night in Atlanta.

Republicans and Democrats alike followed the movement closely at drive-in events in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava joined Democrats at the Nite Owl Drive-In theater at 1400 NE Miami Place.

Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones was also in attendance and said Biden had little to prove, while Trump merely “paid lip service” during the 90-minute debate.

“(Biden) showed us what investment looks like,” Jones said.

Broward Young Republicans held a party at the Savor Cinema, 503 SE 6th St., in Fort Lauderdale. The consensus was that Trump was victorious.

From the viewers’ perspective, Biden, 81, took the podium on the right and Trump, 78, on the left. There was a mute button and there was no audience.

Biden and Trump agreed to follow CNN rules, including not interacting with their campaign staff during the debate and not having prepared notes or props on stage. They were only allowed to have a pen, notepad and water bottle provided by CNN.

After a coin toss, Biden and Trump agreed to take turns delivering their 2-minute closing statements, with Biden leading and Trump closing. Biden’s voice was hoarse.

IMMIGRATION

Trump said immigrants crossing the border come from “mental institutions” and “insane asylums” and are then housed in “luxury hotels” while veterans are on the streets. Trump claims he has “the most secure border in history.”

Biden: ‘There are 40% fewer people crossing the border illegally.’

ABORTION

Biden: “If re-elected, I will reinstate Roe v. Wade. »

Trump said he supports exceptions to the abortion ban “for rape, incest and the life of the mother.”

RUSSIAN-UKRAINE WAR

Biden said he had “secured the support of 50 other nations” for Ukraine.

Trump: “If we had a real president, a president who knew he was respected by Putin, he would never have… invaded Ukraine.”

ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

Biden: “We saved Israel. »

Trump on the possibility of an independent Palestinian state: “We’ll have to see.”

ECONOMY

Trump: “Inflation is killing our country.” »

Biden: “Trump is the only president, along with Herbert Hoover, to leave office with fewer jobs than when he entered office.”

PERSONAL ATTACKS

Asset: “He is not cut out to be president. You know it and I know it too. »

Biden: “The only person on this stage who is a convicted felon is the man I’m looking at right now.”

Biden accused Trump of having sex with a porn star while his wife was pregnant. Trump said: “I didn’t sleep with a porn star. »