7 Unforgettable Presidential Debate Moments From Years Past: Sweating, Lurking and ‘Will You Shut Up, Man?’

Insults flew, sighs were heaved and candidates drew a blank in past debates

Donald Trump and Joe Biden debate in 2020
Donald Trump and Joe Biden debate in 2020 (CREDIT: NBC News)

As Joe Biden and Donald Trump face off in the first presidential debate of 2024, we revisit several memorable, cringe-worthy and viral moments from past political showdowns.

From Richard Nixon not being ready for primetime TV to Biden losing his temper in 2020, we’ve rounded up some of the most viral things that went down at debates.

John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon during their first debate in 1963
John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon during their first debate in 1960 (CREDIT: Getty Images)

Nixon sweated in 1960
In the first-ever televised presidential debate, Richard Nixon unwisely refused makeup and, even worse, had to stop to wipe the sweat off his face. John F. Kennedy, who was far more camera-friendly, would go on to win the election.

Sharon Knolle

Sharon Knolle is an award-winning TV Reporter at TheWrap. She has covered entertainment news for more than 20 years for outlets including Moviefone, IMDb, USA Today, Variety, Us Weekly, Paste and the Sundance Institute. She can be reached at sharon.knolle@thewrap.com or on Twitter at @sknolle

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