"Biden and Trump did not shake hands". CNN wrote at the start of the first televised debate for candidates in the 2024 presidential election in the United States.
On the evening of June 27, local time, U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Trump wore blue and red ties respectively to the debate stage and began a "war of words".
This is the first candidate debate in the 2024 U.S. election, and it is also the second confrontation of the "Beit Showdown" after four years.
"Fierce confrontation" and "mutual accusation" have become one of the key words used by the US media to describe this debate.
Image source: Screenshot of CBS live report
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"Absolutely insane" debate
There will be no live audience in this debate, the microphone of one side will be muted when the other side speaks, and only pens, paper and a bottle of water will be provided, and no prior notes will be allowed.
NBC described the debate as "absolutely insane" because it created several firsts.
First, it was the first time in U.S. history that a sitting president had a televised debate with a former president.
Second, this showdown is also the earliest televised debate between a presidential candidate in the history of the U.S. election year. In the past, it was usually held in September or October of a general election year.
NBC also mentioned that for the first time among the two candidates, there is a criminal convicted of 34 felonies. Previously, Trump was convicted in the hush money case, and theoretically he still faces the possibility of being sentenced to prison two weeks later.
02
What did the debate between the two sides say?
- Economic issues
Biden spoke of the "economic achievements" of his tenure, saying he saved the United States from "free fall" and "chaos" after taking over the presidency from Trump in 2021.
According to the US media, Trump's expression was confused, and when it was his turn to speak, Trump said that "everything is fine" during his tenure. He also blamed Biden for rising prices and high inflation that made Americans unusually frustrated.
- Abortion issues
Biden called the reversal of Roe v. Wade "a terrible thing" and promised that he would reinstate Roe v. Wade if he was given a second term, but did not say how he would achieve that goal.
Trump said that if he is elected, he will not prevent people from accessing abortion drugs and reiterated his position that abortion regulations should be decided by states.
- Criminal cases
Biden referred to Trump's criminal felony conviction. Biden told Trump, "The only convicted felons on this stage are the man I see right now." Biden also likened Trump's morality to a "stray cat."
Trump again denied having an affair with actress Daniels. Previously, Trump had said that the "hush money" trial was "rigged" and driven by political interests.
- The situation in Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza
Trump said that if he becomes president, he will push for an end to the Ukrainian crisis. Trump also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's conditions for ending the crisis in Ukraine were "unacceptable."
At the same time, Biden vigorously promoted a ceasefire proposal he supported over the Gaza conflict.
- Conclusion
In his final statement, Biden said that after the "fiasco" of the Trump administration, the United States had made "significant progress" on issues such as taxation and health care, and promised to continue to reduce inflation.
In his closing remarks, Trump made a final push to voters, "touting" what he had achieved during his tenure. He also lashed out at Biden, saying he was a "complainer" and criticized Biden's border policy, foreign policy, etc.
In addition, the two sides debated topics such as the climate crisis, social security, immigration issues, and the Capitol riots.
Data map: Biden and Trump.
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How are the two doing?
After the debate, NBC concluded, "This debate highlights the worst of both candidates: Trump's lies and Biden's slurred." ”
A number of US media noticed that after the debate began, Biden's voice was hoarse and intermittent, and he also cleared his throat or coughed many times. CNN and other US media mentioned that sources said that Biden had a cold that day.
NBC commented on the duo's performance:
Trump is far from brilliant and vulnerable. But Trump was able to dominate the debate because Biden "simply couldn't play to this level tonight."
The Trump campaign also declared a "victory" after the debate. Its advisers praised Trump for his performance in the debate.
Biden said in a speech shortly after leaving the debate, saying, "I can't think of any of the things he [Trump] said was true," and "Look, we're going to beat this guy." We need to beat this guy. ”
Data map: At a restaurant in Manhattan, New York City, USA, customers are dining.
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Debate affects geometry?
According to Reuters, the debate comes at a time when the political situation in the United States is deeply polarized and voters are deeply anxious. A poll released by Emerson College in May showed that about 10 percent of voters have not yet decided who to support in the 2024 presidential election.
Polls show that about 60 percent of U.S. voters "extremely" or "very" want to watch live or recast clips of the debate, and may read newspapers or listen to social media comments on the two candidates' performance in the debate.
Although U.S. national polls show that the two sides are evenly matched, Biden has trailed Trump in most of the battleground states that traditionally determine the outcome of presidential elections. Analysts believe that "Biden needs to change the status quo, and this debate is his best opportunity yet." ”
Mitchell McKinney, a political communication scholar at the University of Akron, said that the 2024 U.S. presidential election "could be a difference of one or two percentage points," so the importance of the candidates' televised debate should not be underestimated.
Source: China News Network