Joe Biden's disastrous debate blamed on bad preparation, exhaustion

Joe Biden speaks at the grand opening ceremony for the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center. Picture: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

US president Joe Biden's train-wreck debate with Republican opponent Donald Trump followed a series of decisions by his most senior advisers that critics now point to as wrong-headed, interviews with Democratic allies, donors and former and current aides show.

Mr Trump, 78, repeated a series of well-worn, glaring falsehoods during the 90-minute debate on Thursday, including claims that he actually won the 2020 election.