US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced off in a heated TV debate hosted by CNN in Atlanta, Georgia, marking the start of the hot phase of the US election campaign. The debate, which lasted approximately 90 minutes, saw both candidates tackle a range of topics, including economic policy, abortion, migration, and international crises such as the Russian war in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict.
Biden, who is running for a second term, stumbled over his words frequently, speaking unclearly and with a hoarse voice. Despite his intensive preparation and a week of seclusion prior to the debate, his performance raised questions about his suitability for office. He attacked Trump with harsh words, calling him a 'whiner' and a 'loser,' but his delivery appeared weak and defensive. In contrast, Trump, aiming to return to the White House, relied on his usual aggressive rhetoric, making various untruthful statements.
Real-time fact-checking by major US media outlets revealed that both candidates made false or misleading claims, although Trump's statements were more frequently flagged. For example, Trump falsely claimed that there were no terrorist attacks during his term and that the US border was the most secure under his administration. Biden also made some incorrect statements, such as overstating the impact of his policies on prescription drug prices.
The debate took place without a studio audience, and the microphones were muted when the candidates were not speaking. Biden's performance was seen as a 'bumpy start' by US Vice President Kamala Harris, and a quick poll by CNN showed that 67% of viewers saw Trump as the winner, compared to 33% for Biden. This has led to concerns within the Democratic Party about Biden's viability as a candidate.
Trump, who has not conceded his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, continued to spread falsehoods about the election results and his economic achievements. He also reiterated his refusal to commit to accepting the outcome of the upcoming election. Biden, on the other hand, emphasized the need to restore nationwide abortion rights and accused Trump of being a threat to democracy, citing the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by Trump's supporters.
- Biden's preparation for the debate included a week of seclusion, during which he reportedly had a cold, but tested negative for COVID-19. Despite this, his performance was marred by frequent stumbles and unclear speech.
- Trump's aggressive rhetoric included false claims about the economy and border security during his term. He also falsely stated that there were no terrorist attacks during his presidency, despite two attacks occurring in New York in 2017.
- The debate's format, which included muted microphones for the non-speaking candidate, aimed to reduce interruptions and maintain order. However, the lack of a studio audience may have contributed to the subdued atmosphere.
- Concerns within the Democratic Party have been heightened by Biden's performance, with some questioning whether he is the right candidate to face Trump in the upcoming election. Meanwhile, Trump's refusal to accept the 2020 election results continues to cast a shadow over his campaign.
