President Joe Biden struggled during Thursday’s debate as his Republican opponent, Donald Trump, bombarded him with numerous false accusations. The two oldest presidential candidates exchanged personal attacks as they debated issues like abortion, immigration, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, their economic policies, and even their golf games. The race remains virtually tied in opinion polls.
Despite Biden’s allies downplaying the performance and attributing it to a cold, his shaky presentation alarmed fellow Democrats, raising concerns about his age and fitness for a second term. One anonymous top donor described Biden’s performance as “disqualifying” and predicted renewed calls for him to step aside before the party’s national convention in August.
Vice President Kamala Harris defended Biden on CNN, urging voters to consider his and Trump’s records in office rather than the debate alone. Biden, who sounded hoarse and stumbled over his words early on, regained some composure midway through, particularly when criticizing Trump over his criminal conviction related to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
Trump, in turn, raised Hunter Biden’s recent conviction and criticized Biden’s performance by highlighting the lack of endorsements from former Trump administration members. Throughout the debate, Trump repeated several falsehoods about crime rates among migrants, Democratic policies on abortion, and the 2020 election.
Both candidates aimed to demonstrate their readiness for office, with Biden facing scrutiny over his age and Trump dealing with his own legal issues. Political analyst Matt Grossmann noted that while Trump did not significantly help his cause, Biden’s performance may have exacerbated existing doubts about his age.
On the Capitol riot, Trump deflected responsibility and claimed many of those arrested were innocent, prompting Biden to criticize Trump’s understanding of democracy. The debate also touched on abortion rights, border security, and economic policies, with both candidates defending their records.
The debate, held more than four months before Election Day, was marked by strict rules to avoid the interruptions that marred their first debate in 2020. The candidates avoided direct interaction and continued their verbal sparring over various issues, including their golf skills.
Despite Biden’s acknowledgment of inflation concerns, he credited his administration with economic recovery post-pandemic. Trump touted his pre-pandemic economic achievements and criticized Biden’s handling of the economy.
The debate took place amidst deep political polarization and voter anxiety. Trump, facing multiple criminal cases, including charges related to the 2020 election, needs to reassure undecided voters about his commitment to democracy. Meanwhile, Biden’s challenge was to counter Republican claims about his cognitive abilities. With the race tight and battleground state polls favoring Trump, the debate underscored the high stakes of the upcoming election. Both candidates face widespread unpopularity, and a significant portion of voters remain undecided or considering third-party options.
