In a highly anticipated presidential debate on June 27, 2024, former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden faced off in a heated exchange, leaving many Americans feeling anxious about the future leadership of the country. The debate, held at CNN’s Atlanta studios, touched on critical issues such as the economy, social security, and immigration, but it also highlighted the deep concerns many voters have about both candidates.

Key Moments from the Debate

Closing Statements: In his closing remarks, Trump touted his achievements from his first term and criticized Biden, calling him a “complainer” and blaming him for the current state of the country. “The whole country is exploding because of you, because they don’t respect you,” Trump asserted. Biden, in contrast, focused on economic issues, promising to lower inflation and ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes.

Social Security: Biden pledged to keep Social Security solvent by making the very wealthy pay more, assuring that those earning less than $400,000 annually would not see an increase in costs. This was a direct appeal to middle and lower-income voters concerned about the sustainability of social programs.

Court Cases: Biden did not shy away from highlighting Trump’s legal troubles. “The only person on this stage who is a convicted felon is this man I’m looking at right now,” he said, comparing Trump’s morals unfavorably to those of “an alley cat.”

January 6:

The topic of the January 6 Capitol riot was particularly contentious. Trump claimed he had “virtually nothing to do” with the events and was merely asked to give a speech. Biden countered by pointing out that Trump had encouraged his supporters to march to Capitol Hill and then watched the ensuing chaos unfold from the Oval Office for three hours without intervening.

Trump attempted to downplay his involvement, stating, “I could see — I had virtually nothing to do. They asked me to go make a speech.” However, Biden sharply rebuked this claim by highlighting Trump’s role in inciting the crowd. Biden emphasized that Trump had actively encouraged his supporters to head to Capitol Hill and then sat passively in the Oval Office, despite being urgently implored by his vice president and other Republican colleagues to intervene and call for an end to the violence. This exchange underscored the ongoing controversy and differing narratives surrounding the January 6 events, with Biden aiming to remind voters of Trump’s alleged dereliction of duty during a critical moment for American democracy​ (TV Insider)​​ (theweek)​.

Immigration: Biden discussed a bipartisan border deal he had negotiated, which was ultimately killed in the Senate, and criticized Trump’s family separation policy. Trump responded by blaming Biden’s immigration policies for an increase in violent crime in the US.

War in Gaza: On foreign policy, Trump avoided directly addressing whether he would support an independent Palestinian state. Biden, however, detailed his support for a proposal to trade hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners and maintain a ceasefire with additional conditions.

Age and Competence: The age of both candidates was a focal point, with Biden noting that Trump is only a few years younger but “a lot less competent.” Trump challenged Biden to a cognitive test, leading to a bizarre exchange about their respective golf skills.

The debate on abortion showcased the stark differences between the candidates. Trump reiterated his position that abortion regulations should be decided by individual states, promising not to block access to abortion medication. He framed his stance as one of federalism and states’ rights, suggesting that local governments should have the autonomy to set their policies.

Biden, however, argued that leaving abortion regulations to the states could lead to significant disparities in access and undermine fundamental rights. He compared the approach to leaving civil rights protections to the discretion of states, implying that it could result in unequal treatment and erosion of rights. Biden also pushed back against Trump’s claims that Roe v. Wade allowed doctors to perform abortions in the ninth month, calling such statements “simply not true.” This part of the debate highlighted the broader national conversation about reproductive rights and the potential implications of differing state policies​ (TV Insider)​​ (theweek)​.

Public Reaction

The debate did little to alleviate the concerns of many Americans. With Biden’s age and health being a point of worry for some, and Trump’s past behavior and legal issues troubling others, the electorate is left grappling with a choice between two polarizing figures.

What Can Americans Do?

Given the dissatisfaction with both major candidates, Americans are encouraged to:

• Engage in the Political Process: Participate in primary elections and support alternative candidates.
• Support Third-Party Candidates: Consider backing third-party or independent candidates to introduce new ideas.
• Advocate for Electoral Reforms: Push for changes like ranked-choice voting and campaign finance reform.
• Stay Informed and Involved: Engage in local politics and civic activities to drive change from the ground up.
• Hold Leaders Accountable: Contact representatives and participate in elections to ensure accountability.

As the nation moves closer to the 2024 election, the debate underscores the need for active civic engagement and a reevaluation of the current political landscape to ensure that future leaders truly represent the will and interests of the people.