In their first face-off of the presidential race, Joe Biden and Donald Trump engaged in a heated exchange of personal attacks and criticisms. The debate, held at CNN headquarters in Atlanta, saw Trump accusing Biden of failing on economic and global issues, while Biden struggled with his delivery and stumbled over his words.
This historic debate marked the first time a sitting president and a former president clashed directly. Both Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, refrained from shaking hands due to COVID-19 precautions, and the event had no live audience.
Biden, reportedly battling a cold, used scripted lines to highlight Trump’s legal issues and moral character, accusing him of civil penalties and inappropriate behavior. Trump, known for his forceful style, criticized Biden’s record and lamented the state of the country under Biden’s leadership.
Kate Bedingfield, a former Biden communications director, acknowledged disappointment with Biden’s performance, calling it a letdown.
Economic and International Issues
Biden and Trump sparred over the economy, with Biden criticizing Trump’s handling of inflation and claiming he inherited a struggling economy. Trump touted his presidency as having led to the “greatest economy in our country’s history,” a claim Biden disputed.
In a deeply personal moment, Biden defended his son Beau’s honor after Trump allegedly disparaged soldiers. Trump denied the accusations and questioned Biden’s coherence throughout the debate.
On foreign policy, Trump criticized Biden’s stance on Israel and accused him of not supporting Israel enough in its conflicts. He also criticized Biden’s decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, calling it embarrassing and claiming it emboldened Russia.
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Biden defended his foreign policy decisions, highlighting his approach to avoiding overseas military engagements. The candidates also clashed over abortion rights and immigration policies, key issues for their respective supporters.
Democratic supporters expressed anxiety over Biden’s debate performance, with some noting difficulty in understanding his statements. Despite concerns, many affirmed their intention to vote for Biden.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., running an anti-establishment campaign, was absent from the debate stage due to not meeting polling requirements. He instead engaged with supporters via livestream during the debate.
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