President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off in their first debate ahead of the November election. The debate was marked by personal attacks and falsehoods from both candidates. Biden criticized Trump’s role in the Capitol insurrection and brought up various personal issues, including his recent felony conviction and alleged insults towards veterans. Trump, on the other hand, focused on illegal immigration and aired his grievances.
The debate took place at a crucial moment in their rematch, with both candidates needing to make their cases before a national television audience. However, Biden’s uneven performance raised concerns about his age, while Trump’s bombastic rhetoric reminded viewers of his tumultuous presidency.
One of the major points of contention during the debate was the events of January 6, 2021. Trump equivocated on accepting the results of the election and defended the actions of his supporters during the Capitol insurrection. Biden accused Trump of encouraging the violence and called for accountability.
Biden’s raspy voice and halting delivery at the beginning of the debate raised questions about his health. However, as the debate progressed, he became more coherent and attacked Trump’s record on issues like climate change.
Both candidates faced public weariness with partisan politics and a general dissatisfaction with their leadership. The personal animosity between them was palpable, with Biden evoking his son’s military service and criticizing Trump for allegedly calling fallen soldiers “suckers and losers.”
Trump, in turn, criticized Biden for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and brought up Biden’s conviction in the New York hush money trial. The debate was filled with personal insults and threats of retribution.
On policy issues, Biden blamed rising inflation on the situation he inherited from Trump and defended his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump touted his conservative Supreme Court appointments and claimed that abortion restrictions should be decided by individual states.
The debate was held without an audience, and the candidates’ microphones were muted when it was not their turn to speak. Both candidates followed the rules and did not speak out of turn. However, there were moments of pettiness, such as when they squabbled about their golf handicaps.
Heading out of the debate, Biden and Trump planned campaign rallies in swing states. Trump headed to Virginia, while Biden traveled to North Carolina.
Overall, the debate showcased the stark differences between the two candidates and highlighted their personal animosity. It remains to be seen how the performance will impact voter perceptions and the outcome of the election.
