PTC News Desk: In the first presidential debate, US President Joe Biden and Republican opponent Donald Trump squared up, giving voters a unique opportunity to see the two oldest contenders for the US presidency side by side.
Standing at podiums only feet apart in a studio devoid of a live audience, the two opponents did not shake hands. The nation's immigration crisis, foreign policy and international conflicts, economic concerns, and the status of American democracy all figured prominently in the leaders' conflict.
The discussion was televised by all US networks and hosted by CNN. It took place four months before the US presidential elections. The 90-minute debate is not being watched by a studio audience.
Here are the Highlights on Trump-Biden US Presidential debate:
- The debate kicked off with a focus on inflation and the US economy. Joe Biden criticised Trump, saying his tenure rewarded the wealthy and left an economy in freefall. "The economy collapsed, there were no jobs, unemployment rate rose to 15%, it was terrible," Biden remarked.
- In response, Donald Trump argued that job growth under Biden had primarily benefited "illegal immigrants." He also claimed, "inflation is killing us" and asserted that his tax cuts had "spurred the greatest economy that we've ever seen."
- Trump further criticized Biden's handling of America's exit from Afghanistan, calling it "the most embarrassing day in the history of our country."
- Regarding abortion, Trump stated he would not block access to abortion medication and supports exceptions to abortion bans for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Biden countered by pledging to restore Roe v. Wade and criticised Trump for appointing Supreme Court justices who overturned the nationwide constitutional right to abortion.
- On immigration, Donald Trump blamed Joe Biden's "open border" policies for an increase in crime, accusing Biden of overseeing a "migrant crime" wave that endangers American citizens. "We have the largest number of terrorists coming into our country right now. They come from the Middle East, everywhere, all over the world," Trump stated.
- In response, Biden highlighted Trump's immigration policies during his presidency. "When he was president, he was separating babies from their mothers, putting them in cages. That's not the right way to go," Biden asserted.
- Regarding the Ukraine war, Trump claimed he could resolve Russia's invasion of Ukraine before taking office and criticized Biden for providing Ukraine with hundreds of billions of dollars. Biden argued that Trump emboldened Putin, and if the Republican wins, Russia would expand its war into Europe and beyond. Biden also accused Trump of wanting to pull the US out of NATO.
- On the Gaza war, Trump criticized Biden for attempting to hold Israel back from winning the war against Hamas, saying that the president was now "like a Palestinian." Biden mentioned his plan included trading hostages for Palestinian prisoners and maintaining a "ceasefire with additional conditions."
- On climate, Biden pointed out that the United States rejoined a climate accord that Trump had withdrawn from during his administration. "He's not done a damn thing for the environment," Biden said. Trump countered by saying the US had "the best environmental numbers ever" during his tenure.
- In a heated moment of the debate, Biden called the former President a "sucker" and a "loser," referring to claims by former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly that Trump called military members who died in combat "losers" and those who were wounded or captured "suckers."
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- With inputs from agencies
