CNN's Zakaria says first debate with Trump will be 'make-or-break' for Biden's campaign

CNN host Fareed Zakaria argued that the upcoming first debate between President Biden and former President Trump might decide the current president's chances at a second term.

"I think it‘s a big moment for Biden. I think it’s in some ways a make-or-break," Zakaria said during a guest appearance on "CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta." "He has a lot more to gain or lose from this."

CNN host Jim Acosta recalled Zakaria’s recent viral commentary, noting that the future of Biden’s presidency is in question as his polling drops against Trump. Acosta asked if Biden could "use these debates to turn that around."

Zakaria said Biden "has to approach this as if he‘s the underdog, as if he‘s coming from behind, which is all true, but it‘s hard for the president of the United States to think that way. It‘s one of the reasons presidents have typically done badly in debates, particularly in the first debate."

BIDEN ROASTED FOR ‘FREUDIAN SLIP’ REFERRING TO IMMIGRATION INFLUX OF ‘HISPANIC VOTERS’

Zakaria argued that when someone serves as president, they are surrounded by people who defer to their opinion, citing then-President Obama’s surprising first debate against Mitt Romney, now a GOP Utah senator.

"Obama — who‘s a very good orator — did very badly in the first debate against Romney because the president has been spending his time governing, he's been spending his time with his Cabinet and his White House staff, all of whom defer to him. Every time he walks into the room, the Marine band plays, every time he walks under a tarmac, he‘s walking on Air Force One or Marine One. It‘s not an atmosphere conducive to recognizing that people can disagree with you," Zakaria said. "You don‘t realize that you have to punch and counter-punch."

BIDEN'S