The time has arrived for President Joe Biden (D) and President Donald Trump (R) to take the debate stage and appeal to American voters. From the economy to the border to abortion rights, both President Trump and President Biden sparred for 90 minutes during a tense presidential debate.
Both candidates began the debate by answering the questions posed to them and avoiding eye contact. However, the debate quickly grew tense with both getting personal and aiming insults at each other.
Biden's cognitive ability was the 800-lb gorilla in the room, on the debate stage. It was clear that the President was struggling to get his thoughts together and on several instances, lost his train of thought.
President Joe Biden claimed that he was handed "an economy that was in freefall," expressing that his administration has attempted "to put things back together again." Admitting that "there's more to be done," President Biden added that the "working class people are still in trouble."
On the issue of abortion pills, President Trump admitted that he agrees with the abortion pill, affirming that he would not block women from accessing it. "Like Ronald Reagan, I believe in the exceptions of rape, incest, and the life of the mother. I think that's very important," he added, accusing some Democrats of supporting late-term abortions.
President Biden instead argued that President Trump has been "terrible" on the issue of abortion rights, and when questioned if he supports late-term abortions, President Biden affirmed that Democrats "are not for late-term abortions. Period. Period. Period."
On the issue of the border, President Biden claims that "there are 40% less people coming than when Trump was in office" about illegal immigration. President Trump instead argued that women have been in danger because of Biden, warning that the incumbent president "decided to open up our border, open up our country... we are living in a rat's nest."
"Every state is a border," he added.
President Biden went on to argue that the Border Patrol Union had endorsed him, and President Trump called the claim into questioning. On social media, the Border Patrol Union immediately responded by commenting that "to be clear, we never have and never will endorse Biden."
To be clear, we never have and never will endorse Biden.
— Border Patrol Union - NBPC (@BPUnion) June 28, 2024
On the subject of the war between Russia and Ukraine, President Trump maintains that, under his watch, Russian President Vladimir Putin would not have invaded Ukraine. He also directed a verbal jab at Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy, calling him "the greatest salesman ever" because "every time Zelenskyy walks in here, he walks out with 60 million dollars."
Countering President Trump, President Biden argued that the United States is not providing funds but is instead providing weapons. To this, President Trump questioned why President Biden doesn't ask the European Union to put up more money towards Ukraine.
"You gotta ask these people to put up their money."
The presidential debate, hosted by CNN in Atlanta, Georgia, also covered such topics as the war between Hamas and Israel, climate change, inflation, and January 6th.
In their closing statements, both candidates attempted to secure the support of the American people, proposing differing views of what the future holds.
"we have made significant progress from the debacle that was the last term from President Trump," said President Biden.
"Like so many politicians, this man is just a complainer... but he doesn't do anything," said President Trump.
