President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clashed in their first debate leading up to the November election. Biden attempted to confront Trump on various issues, including the economy, illegal immigration, and the Capitol insurrection. However, Biden’s uneven performance raised concerns among Americans about his ability to serve as president at 81 years old. Some members of the Democratic party even called for him to consider stepping aside as the nominee.
Biden repeatedly criticized Trump during the debate, bringing up his recent felony conviction, alleged insult of World War I veterans, and weight. Trump, on the other hand, refused to clearly state whether he would accept the results of the election and consistently misstated his own record while in office.
Biden’s delivery during the debate received significant attention. Trump’s allies declared victory, while prominent Democrats questioned whether Biden could move forward. David Axelrod, a longtime advisor to former President Barack Obama, stated that panic had set in among Democrats. Similarly, Van Jones, a Democratic strategist, said that Biden did not perform well.
The debate highlighted Biden’s occasional struggles with losing his train of thought. He began the night with a hoarse voice and appeared to lose focus during his answers. He fumbled on important issues such as abortion rights and failed to clearly explain Roe v. Wade.
As the debate progressed, Biden’s answers became clearer, but his rasp persisted. He attacked Trump’s record on fighting climate change, emphasizing the urgency of the issue.
Trump, who had not spoken to Biden since their last debate before the 2020 election, equivocated on whether he would accept the results of the November election. He continued to make baseless claims of widespread fraud and misconduct in his 2020 loss to Biden. When questioned about his actions on January 6th, 2021, Trump blamed then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The personal animosity between Trump and Biden was evident throughout the debate. Biden invoked his late son, Beau, who served in Iraq, and criticized Trump for reportedly calling fallen American soldiers “suckers and losers.” Trump denied making such statements and criticized Biden for the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
Biden mentioned Trump’s conviction in the New York hush money trial and referred to allegations of his involvement with a porn actress. Trump denied the allegations but did not testify during his trial.
The debate highlighted the stark differences between Trump and Biden on core issues such as abortion, the economy, and foreign policy. Their deep hostility towards each other was noticeable to viewers.
Before the debate, concerns about Biden’s age had already emerged. According to Gallup data collected in June, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults expressed concern that Biden was too old to be president. Only 18% had similar concerns about Trump. Even among Democrats, 31% expressed significant concerns about Biden’s age.
Following the debate, Trump’s allies claimed victory, with senior adviser Chris LaCivita calling it “the most lopsided win in debate history.” However, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent Democratic supporter of Biden, dismissed questions about Biden’s performance and expressed confidence in his capabilities.
Despite the mixed reactions to his performance, Biden indicated that he has no plans to leave the race. He spent nearly a week preparing for the debate at the Camp David presidential retreat and showed his resilience by mocking suggestions that he would use drugs to enhance his performance.
In conclusion, the first debate between Biden and Trump showcased their contrasting viewpoints and personal animosity. Biden’s uneven performance raised concerns about his age, leading to discussions within the Democratic party. While the debate outcome is subject to interpretation, it is clear that both candidates are determined to continue their campaigns.
