Hollywood celebrities abandon Joe Biden as they lash out at Donald Trump and CNN's moderators after disastrous debate

Celebrities have lashed out at Donald Trump, the debate moderators, and the state of US politics - but none were willing to claim Joe Biden won.

The president and his predecessor faced off in the first of two debates in Atlanta on Thursday night on topics from the economy to immigration and foreign affairs.

Biden, suffering from a cold, spoke hoarsely and appeared confused and sometimes incoherent at the start of the debate, but improved as it went along.

Trump, on the other hand, had his usual energy as he attacked Biden on the stage and made at least 30 untrue statements during the 90-minute debate.

Democrats went into a panic during and after the debate as Biden's lackluster performance made them worried about a landslide defeat.

Celebrities including Barbra Streisand, John Cusack, Mark Hamil, and Stephen King vented their frustrations online as the debate played out.

One of the top targets was CNN moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash as several celebrities claimed they were letting Trump get away with lying.

'What is wrong with these two moderators who let Trump change the subject? They ask him a question, but then let him go on a rampage about something else. Not fair!' Streisand wrote mid-debate.

The singer earlier in the day called debates 'televised theatrics' rather than governing, and called Biden 'accomplished at governing'.

Cusack posted well over a dozen tweets during the debate, some of them making the same argument as Streisand.

'Trump is a convicted felon - making up whatever he wants. CNN has abdicated every definitional responsibility,' he wrote.

'CNN letting this deranged liar lie with no consequences - meanwhile - dems thinks having the right data points matter - This is the end my beautiful friends.'

Jeri Ryan, known for playing, Seven of Nine on Star Trek, also joined in on calling for CNN's moderators to push back on Trump more.

'Trump won't actually answer ANY question! And no pushback AT ALL from the moderators,' she wrote.

Former Greys Anatomy star Jesse Williams had similar thoughts: 'Why moderate if you're not gonna moderate? Not a single lie checked.'

Ryan also ranged at a false Trump claim that doctors in some states were allowed to abort babies 'after birth', without explaining how that would actually happen.

'AFTER birth'?? What a complete moron. There is NO abortion AFTER birth,' she wrote.

She later added: 'My God, he truly lies like he breathes.'

Bestselling author Stephen King decried the state of American democracy that the debate exposed.

'Sweet Jesus! The networks are packaging this as entertainment, like a boxing match, and selling democracy down the river. It's a shame,' he wrote.

Actress Nia Long simply stated: 'This debate is deplorable.' 

Cusack admitted the date was a disaster for Biden and likely heralded the end of the Democrats' hopes for holding onto the White House.

'Meltdown - CNN set perfect conditions,' he wrote.

'A perfect storm of CNN debasement, Biden camp f**king up the optics on everything, and over preparing Biden to win with data points.'

He claimed socialist Democratic senator Bernie Sanders would win in a landslide and predicted Californian Governor Gavin Newsome would take over.

Williams also alluded to Newsome replacing Biden by sharing a meme of a man confidently walking into a TV studio.

'Gavin Newsom walking into the DNC offices tomorrow morning,' he wrote.

Star Wats actor Mark Hamil wouldn't say Biden won the debate, but insisted even though he had a bad night he was still a much better president.

One off night doesn't change the fact that Joe Biden is the most legislatively successful [president] in our lifetime,' he wrote.

'One off night also doesn't change the fact that the former guy is a convicted felon, serial liar & adjudicated rapist who is unfit for ANY office. Period.'