US Presidential candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, on Thursday, appeared for their first Presidential debate wherein their deliberated over various tops including immigration, economy and Capitol building riots. The debate took place in Atlanta, Georgia at CNN Headquarters on Thursday. Biden, with a hoarse voice and occasional confusion, struggled, causing some Democrats to worry about his age and ability to serve.
Trump spread false information and dodged questions about accepting election results, similar to his behavior after the 2020 election. Biden tried to provoke Trump by mentioning his recent felony conviction and alleged insults towards veterans, but Trump sidestepped these issues, instead blaming former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the Capitol riot.
Biden’s delivery, especially at the beginning of the debate, drew a lot of attention. Prominent Democrats like David Axelrod and Van Jones criticized his performance, suggesting it might raise questions about his candidacy. Biden’s hoarse voice, due to a cold, and his difficulty staying on track with topics like tax policy and abortion rights added to the concerns. At one point, he completely lost his train of thought, struggling to explain his views clearly.
Vice President Kamala Harris defended Biden, admitting there was criticism but highlighting a strong finish. The next day, Biden told reporters that his sore throat affected his performance and called Trump a liar.
During the debate, Trump diverted the blame for the January 6 insurrection and repeated false claims of election fraud. He did not apologize for his actions on January 6 and instead criticized Biden’s international and domestic policies. The debate showed a strong resentment between them, with Biden mentioning his late son Beau and accusing Trump of insulting fallen soldiers. Trump denied this and criticized Biden’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, despite having made the initial agreement with the Taliban.
Throughout the debate, Trump and Biden showed very different views on key issues like abortion, the economy, and foreign policy. Their mutual hostility was clear, with personal attacks throughout the evening. Trump dismissed concerns about his past actions, while Biden attacked Trump’s moral character and policy failures.
After the debate, Trump’s supporters claimed a clear win, mocked Biden’s performance, and questioned his ability to continue in office. Biden’s supporters, like California Governor Gavin Newsom, dismissed the talks of Biden stepping down and showed confidence in him.
Biden, who had spent nearly a week preparing, stood firm and said he had no plans to leave the race. His campaign even sold “Dark Brandon’s Secret Sauce” water cans, poking fun at Trump’s suggestion that Biden might use drugs to boost his performance.
The debate highlighted the ongoing tensions and different visions for America’s future from Biden and Trump. It also showed the challenges Biden faces within his party due to his age and performance. The debate ended without resolving many issues, indicating more conflicts as the election approaches which are scheduled for 5 November.
