Your Morning: Who won the Trump-Biden debate?

Who won? President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off Thursday evening in the first of two presidential debates in the 2024 election. Who won? While it largely depends on who you ask, many debate watchers on both sides seemed to agree on one thing: Biden had a bad night. A CNN flash poll of debate watchers found 67% of those surveyed said Trump won the debate, compared to 33% who said Biden won. Biden, 81, had a hoarse voice and appeared to lose his train of thoughts at certain points, sparking concerns among Democrats. Democratic operatives and political pundits suggested Thursday there are conversations happening about Biden possibly stepping aside before November’s election after his debate performance panicked some of his closest allies, but Biden’s first White House press secretary said the “chatter is not happening.” Read more > 

‘We did well’: Biden brushed off concerns about his debate performance against Trump. While stopping at a Waffle House in Atlanta after the debate, he told reporters: “I think we did well.” When asked about whether he had concerns with his performance, Biden said, “No. It’s hard to debate a liar.” Details > 

Avoiding questions: While analysts highlighted Biden stumbling throughout parts of the debate, Trump dodging certain questions did not go unnoticed. When asked about the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots, the former president tried to avoid answering the question and defended those who stormed the Capitol, blaming Biden for prosecuting them. “What they’ve done to some people who are so innocent, you ought to be ashamed of yourself,” Trump told Biden. At one point during the debate, Trump warned that members of the congressional committee that investigated Jan. 6 could face criminal charges, as could Biden himself. And when asked whether he would accept the results of the 2024 election, Trump said, “if it’s a fair and legal and good election, absolutely,” which did not appear to be an unqualified yes. Debate takeaways > 

‘This feeling of being hunted’: Two Maui visitors who were carjacked and robbed at gunpoint had to run, hide and hike for their lives to the top of Haleakalā. The victims are now speaking out about the dangers on Maui. Their warning >

What’s happening: Families of 9/11 victims involved in a lawsuit against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wrote a letter to the top Republican and Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, expressing frustration over stalled legislation and a lack of response from Congress to a video the group says shows evidence Saudi government officials were involved in planning the attacks on U.S. soil. Details of the letter > 

The video: 9/11 Families United sent NewsNation a portion of the video after a judge released it by court order. The whole video totals around an hour, and at times shows a group of men, believed to have ties to the Saudi government and allegedly the same people seen on video in the U.S. with multiple 9/11 hijackers before the attack, pointing out landmarks like the White House, the Washington Monument and the Capitol building. The Capitol building, in particular, appeared to be a focus with the group. Take a look >

Idaho college killings: The trial for Bryan Kohberger, accused of killing four students at the University of Idaho, is expected to start next June. The anticipated trial date was announced at a court hearing Thursday. While his trial was initially scheduled for October 2023, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial, pushing the date back. A location for the trial has not yet been confirmed. Read more > 

The charges: Kohberger faces four murder charges in connection with the November 2022 stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves in their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. If convicted, Kohberger, who entered a not guilty plea, could face the death penalty. The latest >

Ohio train derailment: Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, are still dealing with the fallout of the 2023 train derailment, and the deadline for residents to opt into a $600 million class-action settlement is fast approaching. A federal judge signed off on the settlement in May, but some residents of the Ohio village are concerned the agreement was rushed and that after legal fees, the payouts will not be enough to help them recover. “This should not have been settled so soon. Things need to come out. Testing needs to be done, and the town needs to be cleaned up,” East Palestine woman, Krissy Ferguson, told NewsNation. Full report > 

Zoom in: Some residents are frustrated by language found in the fine print of the settlement releasing the Environmental Protection Agency from any future claims. “Governmental agencies, entities, and authorities, whether federal, state, county, or local, their employees, officers, agents, members, and volunteers” are listed among the released parties. There are also no mentions of health care for residents mentioned in the agreement. “One of our biggest concerns has always been human health, and this does not even provide any type of health fund for us,” East Palestine resident Jami Wallace said. Residents have until July 1 to decide whether to take part in the settlement. What to know > 

Background: On the evening of Feb. 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train derailed as it traveled through East Palestine, spilling toxic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, into the area. The train was then set on fire in what officials at the time said was a bid to avoid a bigger explosion. This sparked health concerns among residents. Read more >