Former President Donald Trump and outgoing Joe Biden put on the boxing gloves again Thursday evening during a first presidential debate organized four months before the American elections. A crucial moment, supposed to bring Americans into the campaign, during which Joe Biden may have lacked confidence, compared to his energetic speech on the state of the union in March. Four years after a first round remained in the annals as it was so chaotic, the exchanges were just as scathing this year despite the conditions of the debate, sanitized by the cut microphones and the absence of an audience.
Also read: American presidential election: a first high-stakes TV duel for Joe Biden and Donald Trump
Joe Biden’s candidacy in question
If some voices were already questioning Joe Biden’s health, the debate will have confirmed their fears. The two candidates are only three years apart, but the performance of Joe Biden, who, at 81, is already the oldest president in the history of the United States, has raised questions.
If he didn’t make a misstep, it didn’t take more than ten minutes for the Democratic president to get lost in his sentences, mumbling sometimes unintelligible words in a hoarse voice – Joe Biden having a cold, according to his camp. What’s more, during a crucial moment on abortion, a strong theme for the Democrats. Donald Trump took advantage of these moments of confusion to fan the flames: “I really don’t know what he said at the end. I don’t think he knew what he said either.”he said, questioning the mental acuity of his competitor to run for a second term.
Not evading the question of his age, Joe Biden pointed out that his rival was only three years younger than him and that he was “much less competent” than him. For his part, Donald Trump argued “two cognitive tests passed”while boasting about his golfing prowess. “You have to be very intelligent and be able to hit the ball very far. He can’t hit a ball 50 yards (45 meters)”he tackled.
Democrats want him out of the race
The debate had barely ended when the Republican team’s press release proclaimed “victory”, denouncing the“incompetence” Joe Biden.
US Vice President Kamala Harris admitted that Joe Bien had been “slow to start” but that he had “finished strong”. Kate Bedingfield, former White House communications director during his early years in office, called Joe Biden’s performance “disappointing”. ” It’s a disaster “a Democratic lawmaker warned CNN . ” We’re screwed “whispered again a Democrat, who worked for his campaign.
Within the Democratic camp, the question now even arises of replacing Joe Biden. According to David Axelrod, senior White House official and former Barack Obama strategist, “there will be discussions about whether it should continue”. According to CNNsenior Democratic officials are even considering going to the White House to publicly ask Joe Biden to withdraw from the race.
Asked about these fears expressed by some Democrats, President Biden dismissed the idea of withdrawing from the race, assuring “came out well” and retorting that he was “difficult to argue with a liar”.
Fears also about the future of democracy
Donald Trump has raised another form of concern, about the future of American democracy. In case of victory first. Vengeful, Donald Trump once again threatened Joe Biden with “retaliation” after attacking the judicial system which notably convicted him of criminal charges – a first for a former president. He again accused Joe Biden of having led a witch hunt against him, a recurring lie in the Republican campaign. “As soon as he leaves office, Joe could become a repeat offender with all the things he’s done.”threatened Donald Trump after Joe Biden called him a “criminal” and already from “repeat offender” . Donald Trump has indicated that he plans to appoint a “special prosecutor” to prosecute Biden if he takes office.
Joe Biden, for his part, warned of the threat that Donald Trump poses to American institutions: “This guy has no sense of what American democracy is.” He criticized the conservative for having “encouraged the Capitol riots” or even to stir up hatred. “You have the moral sense of a depraved person.”he told her.
Despite his attempts to appear presidential – even urging Joe Biden “don’t act like a child” during a skirmish – Donald Trump nonetheless increased the invectives and lies, particularly on the conspiracy theory of a stolen election in 2020.
Asked whether he would respect the results of the November election in the event of defeat, Donald Trump imposed conditions: “If it’s a fair, legal election, a good election, absolutely.”he replied, not without reviving the memory of the storming of the Capitol at a time when America is more fractured than ever.
