Ahead of the November presidential elections in the United States, current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump squared off in a televised election debate. Tensions rose from time to time in the debate.
Democratic Party Joe Biden and his Republican rival Donald Trump, who are competing for the presidential elections to be held on November 5 in the US, shared their trump cards in the first live broadcast debate. Although Trump did not have a clear advantage over his opponent throughout the program, Biden failed to perform in a way that would allay concerns about his age for a second run.
Biden and Trump took the stage at CNN’s studio in Atlanta without greeting each other or shaking hands.
According to the rules, President Joe Biden had the first word in the debate. Donald Trump had the last word.
The first question was about the US economy
In the live broadcast moderated by Jack Tapper and Dana Bash, the two candidates were first asked about the state of the US economy.
Biden stated that the economy collapsed during the Trump era, the unemployment rate rose by 50 percent, and said, “We recovered the economy left to us in a state of chaos, created 15 thousand new jobs, and created positions for 800 thousand new production.”
Trump, on the other hand, argued that they had the largest economy in the history of the country, which everyone admired during his presidency, and said, “Other countries were taking us as an example. But we got caught in Covid and spent the money necessary to avoid falling into the Great Depression like we experienced in 1929.”
Trump argued that despite Covid-19, they kept the economy on an even keel, claiming that Biden, who followed him, worsened the economy and increased inflation, especially with the influx of irregular migrants.
Biden and Trump, who blamed each other for the negativities in the economy, from tax cuts to the current account deficit, also had heated exchanges from time to time on the abortion issue, which is highly debated on the national agenda.
Trump brought up irregular migrants in all questions
While the problem of irregular migrants on the southern border of the country was another main domestic agenda item of the live broadcast debate, it was especially noteworthy that Trump was particularly critical of Biden on the “insecurity of the border and the influx of irregular migrants”.
Trump brought up irregular migrants in almost all questions asked to him, saying, “In our time, our borders were the most secure in history. Now it has become the most insecure border where murderers and terrorists flock.”
Biden, on the other hand, denied Trump’s claims, stating that there is no data to confirm them and that the US has the largest economy in the world because of its immigration policy and that they are working across party lines to regulate irregular migrants crossing the border.
Biden was sluggish and hoarse
During the live broadcast, the two rivals were seen to counter each other’s claims with nods and smiles, while Biden’s sluggish appearance and hoarseness in his voice throughout the debate did not go unnoticed.
Ukraine and Gaza were asked about foreign policy
In the context of foreign policy, Trump and Biden were asked about the war between Ukraine and Russia and the Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
Trump argued that US soldiers and veterans could not tolerate Biden and said on Ukraine, “If I were president, this crisis would never have happened in the first place. If I am elected president, I will end this crisis between Putin and Ukraine before I even take office.”
Biden, on the other hand, described Trump’s speech as nonsense, claiming that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal and will attack other NATO countries if not prevented in Ukraine.
On Gaza, Biden said that while they continue to make efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, they are providing the greatest support to Israel in this process, stopping only the shipment of high-capacity bombs that are not suitable for use in densely populated areas.
Trump, in turn, accused Biden of “not letting Israel finish the job” and dodged the question of whether he would support an independent Palestine to bring peace to the region with a short answer, “We’ll have to see.”
There were no questions or answers on the genocide trial of Israel over Gaza and the humanitarian situation in the region.
Trump’s “hush money” case and Hunter Biden’s illegal acquisition of weapons raise tensions
Trump and Biden’s personal attacks on each other intensified during the live debate on the January 6 attacks on Congress.
Trump accused Democrats of not taking enough precautions against the January 6 Congressional raid despite his own suggestion, while Biden said, “The only guilty person I see here is someone who has been convicted by a court of law,” referring to Trump’s jury conviction in the “hush money” case.
In response, Trump pointed to Biden’s son Hunter Biden, who was found guilty of illegally obtaining a gun while addicted to drugs, and said, “His own son was found guilty at a high level. Probably, as soon as he is out of office, he may be found guilty for the deaths at the border, for the events in Ukraine.”
Biden to Trump: Your remarks are outrageous and lies
Biden told Trump, “What you are saying is outrageous and a lie. No president in our history has ever said things like that. On the other hand, there are still accusations against you, from harassing women in public to having an affair with a porn star while your wife was pregnant, what do you say?”
Two candidates were asked about their age and health status
Asked about his age and health, Biden said, “I spent half my career being criticized for being the youngest person in politics, I was the second youngest person ever elected to the US Senate, and now I’m the oldest. This guy (Trump) is three years younger than me but much less capable. I think just look at the record. See what I’ve done,” he replied.
To the same question, Trump stated that he took two cognitive tests showing his mental health and made them public and said, “This (Biden) did not take any of them. I would have liked to see him take only one, the easiest one.”
Trump: Biden can’t do it, he can’t hit the ball 40 meters away
Pointing out that he has two separate golf championships, Trump said, “To do that, you have to be smart and you have to be able to hit the ball from a long distance. I do this. Biden cannot do this, he cannot hit the ball 40 meters away.”
“He will drag us into World War 3”
To a question from the CNN host about whether he would accept the results of the November elections no matter what and his pledge to reject political violence, Trump replied, “If the elections are free and fair.”
Trump argued that he was running again because Biden was a very bad president, adding:
“The only reason I’m here is because he’s a terrible president. I’m going to make America great again. Right now we are a failed nation because of him. His policies are so bad, his military policies are insane. These are his wars that will never end. He’s going to drag us into World War III and we’re closer to World War III than anyone can imagine. We are very, very close to World War 3 and (Biden) is taking us there.”
Biden, on the other hand, pointed out that they are strengthening NATO again, “Because we are a strong nation and we are needed right now, we need to protect the world. We need this for our own security.”
At the end of the 90-minute live broadcast debate, Trump and Biden left the stage without shaking hands again.
First time without an audience since 1960
Debate held without an audience for the first time since 1960
