Chaotic First Debate: Trump and Biden Exchange Heated Insults and Misinformation

Democratic President Joe Biden delivered a shaky performance during Thursday night’s debate, while his Republican rival, Donald Trump, relentlessly attacked him with a series of often false claims. The two oldest presidential candidates in U.S. history engaged in deeply personal insults as they faced off ahead of the November election.

Trading Insults and Policies

The debate saw the candidates exchanging barbs on various issues, including abortion, immigration, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, their handling of the economy, and even their golf games. Both candidates aimed to sway voters in what has been a tightly contested race according to opinion polls.

Biden, sounding hoarse, stumbled over his words several times during the debate’s initial half-hour. However, he gained momentum midway through when he attacked Trump over his conviction for covering up hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, labeling him a “felon.”

In response, Trump brought up the recent conviction of Biden’s son, Hunter, for lying about his drug use to buy a gun. Biden countered by pointing out that almost all of Trump’s former cabinet members, including ex-Vice President Mike Pence, have not endorsed his campaign, stating, “They know him well, they served with him. Why are they not endorsing him?”

Concerns Over Biden’s Health

Two White House officials mentioned that Biden had a cold, which might have affected his performance. Nonetheless, his uneven debate showing could exacerbate voter concerns about his ability to serve another term at the age of 81. Some Democrats were already publicly worried about Biden’s performance even before the debate concluded.

Trump, on the other hand, launched numerous criticisms, many of which were repeated falsehoods from his campaign trail. These included claims of a crime wave caused by migrants, accusations that Democrats support infanticide, and the assertion that he won the 2020 election.

Addressing Key Issues

Both candidates were under pressure to prove their fitness for office. Biden has faced questions about his age and cognitive sharpness, while Trump’s incendiary rhetoric and numerous legal issues remain significant vulnerabilities.

When asked about the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters, the former president refused to accept responsibility and claimed many of those arrested were innocent. Biden retorted, “This guy has no sense of American democracy.”

The debate also touched on abortion rights, with Biden blaming Trump for enabling the elimination of a nationwide right to abortion by appointing conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump argued that Biden would not support any limits on abortions and maintained that returning the issue to the states was the right approach.

Trump accused Biden of failing to secure the southern U.S. border, which he claimed allowed criminals to enter the country. Biden responded, “Once again, he’s exaggerating, he’s lying,” noting that studies show immigrants do not commit crimes at higher rates than native-born Americans.

Debate Dynamics

The debate, televised on CNN, took place far earlier than any modern presidential debate, over four months before Election Day on November 5. The candidates appeared without a live audience, and their microphones were automatically muted when it was not their turn to speak—rules put in place to prevent the chaos that characterized their first debate in 2020.

The two men, who have made no secret of their mutual disdain, did not shake hands or acknowledge each other before or after the debate. The animosity was palpable, with each calling the other the worst president in history. Biden referred to Trump as a “loser” and a “whiner,” while Trump labeled Biden a “disaster.”

At one point, they even argued over their golf games, with Trump boasting about hitting the ball farther than Biden, who retorted that Trump would struggle to carry his own bag.

Voter Concerns and Economic Issues

The debate opened with questions about the economy, as polls indicate Americans are dissatisfied with Biden’s performance despite wage growth and low unemployment. Biden acknowledged that inflation had raised prices but insisted he deserved credit for stabilizing the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump claimed he had overseen “the greatest economy in the history of our country” before the pandemic and took action to mitigate its economic impact.

Polarized Nation

The debate occurred in a deeply polarized nation, with voters anxious about the state of American politics. A May Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that two-thirds of voters feared potential violence following the election, reflecting ongoing concerns nearly four years after the Capitol riot.

Trump, now a convicted felon facing multiple criminal cases, still claims his 2020 defeat was due to fraud. He has suggested punishing his political enemies if re-elected, raising questions about his commitment to democracy. Biden, on the other hand, had to demonstrate his vitality amid ongoing Republican claims about his age-related decline.

With national polls showing a close race and Biden trailing in key battleground states, both candidates have significant work ahead to convince undecided voters. The next and final debate of this election cycle is scheduled for September.