The first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump was held in Atlanta, Georgia, and hosted by CNN. The 90-minute debate was marked by both candidates frequently evading questions and sticking to their preferred talking points. Here are the key moments from the debate:
Economy
- Biden’s Attack: Joe Biden criticized Donald Trump for the state of the economy, attributing the current economic challenges to his administration.
- Trump’s Defense: Trump praised his own economic record, claiming his policies prevented another Great Depression during the COVID pandemic and asserting that the economy was thriving before the pandemic hit.
- Debt Discussion: Moderators highlighted that Trump’s administration approved $8.4 trillion in new debt, while Biden has approved $4.3 trillion so far. Trump defended his tax cuts, claiming they spurred economic growth, while Biden stumbled in his response about his economic policies, leading Trump to criticize his handling of Medicare.
Abortion & Roe v Wade
- Trump’s Stance: Trump took credit for appointing Supreme Court judges who overturned Roe v. Wade, returning abortion rights to state governments. He supported recent Supreme Court decisions approving abortion medication despite state bans.
- Biden’s Rebuttal: Biden criticized Trump for making it harder for women to access basic healthcare and pledged to restore Roe v. Wade if re-elected, emphasizing that abortion decisions should be made by doctors, not politicians.
Immigration
- Trump’s Criticism: Trump repeatedly attacked Biden’s immigration policies, claiming they led to numerous crimes. He boasted about having the safest border during his administration.
- Biden’s Defense: Biden pointed to increased numbers of asylum officers and criticized Trump’s past immigration policies. Trump continued to mock Biden’s statements, asserting that Biden himself did not understand his own policies.
Foreign Policy
- Afghanistan Withdrawal: Trump criticized Biden’s handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it the most embarrassing day in US history and linking it to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- Biden’s Response: Biden defended the withdrawal and highlighted his administration’s efforts to evacuate over 100,000 people. He also countered Trump’s claims regarding his support for NATO and Israel.
Democracy and January 6
- Trump’s Defense: When asked about concerns regarding a second term, Trump touted his economic and immigration records and made false claims about Nancy Pelosi and the National Guard during the January 6th riots.
- Biden’s Accusations: Biden accused Trump of failing to stop his supporters during the January 6th riots and labeled him a “convicted felon” due to various legal issues, including falsifying business records and alleged immoral conduct.
The debate highlighted sharp contrasts between Biden and Trump on key issues such as the economy, abortion, immigration, foreign policy, and democracy. Both candidates largely avoided direct answers to the moderators’ questions, opting instead to reiterate their established positions and criticize each other’s records.
